Health Headlines - July 5

Military Concerned About Troops' Weight

With America at war and in need of a few good men, Jon Schoenherr expected a warm reception when he walked into an Army recruiting office in this Midwestern farm community, intending to enlist. But a sergeant gave the 17-year-old some surprising news.

"He told me I'd have to lose a little bit of weight," said Schoenherr, who dropped 50 pounds to qualify.

Besides terrorists, germ warfare and nuclear weapons, military officials increasingly worry about a different kind of threat - troops too fat to fight.

Papua New Guinea at Risk for AIDS Epidemic

Papua New Guinea is at risk of an African level HIV/AIDS epidemic, while other Asia-Pacific nations like Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar are also worrisome as their infection numbers continue to rise, the head of the U.N. AIDS agency said Sunday. The epidemic is as vast and diverse as the region itself, with sex and injected drugs its main engines.

AP: Review Finds AIDS Agency 'Troubled'

The government's AIDS research agency "is a troubled organization" and its managers have engaged in unnecessary feuding, sexually explicit language and other inappropriate conduct that hampers its global fight against the disease, an internal review found.

Canadian Cities Battle Over Hospital

Amid the clowns, mini-cars and tasseled fezzes at this year's Shriners convention, a bitter turf battle is being waged over the location of an $85 million children's hospital.

Injured Veterans Use Athletics to Recover

Eight months ago, Ramon Guitard lay in an Army hospital bed, his legs nearly blown off by roadside bombs in Baghdad. He thought his life was as good as over. But not long after, at the urging of his therapists, Guitard watched a doctor demonstrate wheelchair slalom and was intrigued enough to try another activity: hand cycling, a bicycle powered with the arms.

Food Fact:
Buttermilk? Spread the word.

Despite the name, buttermilk is a great secret for low-fat cooks to keep up their sleeves. Buttermilk is either skim or low-fat, and fermented with beneficial bacteria that leaves its characteristic tang. Its acidity helps keep baked goods tender without adding fat, and its creamy texture makes a good base for salad dressings. It's a delicious addition to mashed potatoes and makes a thick, tangy, low-fat soup base. It also makes a fine smoothie: Combine frozen berries, buttermilk and sugar (to taste) in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Beat the clock.

By making physical activity a natural part of your day, you get all the benefits of exercise -- in a fraction of the time. Walk to an appointment. Take the stairs. Scrub the floor or your car. Leading an active life gives you many of the same benefits as structured exercise, and you don't have to "make time" to do it.

FAQ of the day:
Do I have to give up all red meat?

There are ways to make your sauce taste meaty without meat. Try adding extra mushrooms, sauteed eggplant, textured soy protein, ground turkey or chicken, or any combination of them. If meat's a must, buy the leanest ground beef, use about 1/4 your usual amount and try one of the above ingredients to stand in for the rest.