Your Health: Your vision may be getting worse

Blurred visionIt's not just you - a lot of us find our distant vision is getting blurrier.A recent study by the National Eye Institute found nearsightedness in Americans jumped from 25 percent of the population in the 1970s to 41 percent through 2004.While genetics largely determines nearsightedness, or myopia, research overseas found "near work" is a risk factor, meaning the huge increase in staring at computer and TV screens all day could play a role.But getting out more could help. One other study at Ohio State found that children who played outside more than 14 hours a week developed nearsightedness only about a third as much as those who did not.Quit smokingThe Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago is offering a six-week session for adults to stop smoking.Each group session includes practice skills, support, and quitting tips such as:bull; Remove all evidence of smoking from your life: cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays, smoking odors, etc.bull; Reward yourself for not smoking for each short-term and long-term goal you reach.bull; Cut down on related activities like drinking, and have alternatives like gum or snacks or doodling to keep hands and mouth busy.bull; Do something physical when stressed or bored - take a walk, do push-ups, anything.bull; If you smoke again, don't give up. Like anything new, you have to practice not smoking to get it right. So learn from what went wrong and try again.Classes start at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, at 1440 W. Washington Blvd. in Chicago. For information, call (312) 229-6186, or check out lungchicago.org.Most are overweightThe epidemic of obesity in America continues.One-third of all Americans are obese, and two-thirds are obese or overweight, according to the latest study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.The good news is that while rates had increased steadily after 1980, they appear to be leveling off since 1999.The AMA called for a public health campaign about the dangers of being overweight, similar to past programs to reduce smoking and high blood pressure.A federal panel of health experts is also recommending now that doctors screen children age 6 to 18 for obesity and refer them to weight-loss programs.Pilates introductionCentegra Health Bridge Fitness Centers are offering free Pilates demonstrations this month.The centers in Crystal Lake and Huntley offer free 45-minute introductory sessions.Register at the service desk, at (815) 444-2900, or at mindbodyonline.com.Foot infoPeople with foot problems have a new, credible information source on the Web.The American College of Foot Ankle Surgeons has launched a new site that offers:bull; An A-to-Z library of physician-reviewed articles, videos and podcasts.bull; A "Find a Physician" function.bull; Health information in English and Spanish.Go to FootHealthFacts.org.