Friday Roundup

Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:

Health
1. Global rates of obesity doubled in 30 years, New York Times, August 25, 2011
Brief Introduction: Obesity rates have doubled in the last three decades, even as blood pressure and cholesterol levels dropped. You can read more about these three studies as they are being published today in the Lancet.

2. Vitamins may lower risk of pre-term births, New York Times, August 22, 2011
Brief Introduction: Taking a multivitamin around the time of conception may help women lower their risk of delivering low-birth-weight babies, new research shows.

Education
1. Young Hispanic's college enrollment rose 24% in year, study says, New York Times, August 25, 2011
Brief Introduction: Hispanics in the United States have registered significant gains in education, with college enrollment among young Hispanics up by 24 percent from 2009 to 2010, a new report shows.

Race
1. Explore the country by the numbers, CNN.com
Brief Introduction: This is an interactive map that allows you to take a look at the population of the U.S.: total population, population by race, etc.

2. Arizona sues over Voting Rights Act, The Arizona Republic, August 26, 2011
Brief Introduction:

Arizona is the first state to challenge the constitutionality of sections of the federal law that forbid states from enacting a law or process that denies or limits someone's right to vote based on their race or color.

The sections at issue require states that failed to meet certain criteria in 1972 to get federal approval for any state legislation or procedural change that could impact voting.