onen three is clsed as morbidly obese. in europe, britain is the fattest nations. they're, 61% of people are overweight and one in four is obese. germany is roughly on a par with the oecd average. the japanese, widely perceived as being among the more slender people, are also getting fatter. obesity is not just a problem for those affected, this is putting atrain on health services aund the wod. being overweight or obese increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes and the the physical strain of carrying the extra pounds leads to bone and joint problems. obesity can reduce a person's life expectancy by 8-10 years. research suggests that fat people are more likely to be unemployed and on an average of 18% bonds and earning an average of 18% less than people that are not -- and earning on average 18% less than people who are not fat. the better educated people are, the more likely they are to stay slim. >> the problem with being overweight is not just confined to industrialized countries. this is also on the rise in some american economies. in the past, they have

> medical experts are advising car makers to bulk up on crash test dummies, people considered morbidly obese are 50% more likely to die in a car crash than people of normal weight. moderate are 20%, dummies representing overweight people in those crash tests. >>> houses buried -- and football stadiums flooded. when people will finally get some relief in southern california. >> and six people shot last night in south san francisco. we will tell i don't you what police have to go an as they search for the shooter. >>> and more controversy for pg&e over testing methods. that story coming up. . >>> and we have a new problem now in richmond on westbound 580, chp is on the scene of an accident that involves a police pursuit. details right after the break. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, the san bruno as

. >>> coming up, weight loss surgery only allowed for the morbidly obese, but a meeting could change that. who could be eligible for lap band surgery. the new ap that forces you to resist using your cell phone while driving. you are looking at live pictures of a not unreasonably chilly oakland. (announcer) while there are some home disasters you can't avoid, there is onean. septic system breakdowns affect 1.2 million homes each year. septic backups can cost about six thousand dollars in expense, and countless hours of repair. rid-x. help save yourself from disaster. >>> welcome back, everyone. you are looking at a live picture of the oracle arena. a life form that eats poison and is partly made of poison found in a california lake. as today in the east bay's kirk gregory reports, bacteria could be the secret to on other planets. >> reporter: thursday's nasa announcement. researchers discover a strange bacteria in a salty lake. it was found in mono lake survives without fphosphorus. this replaces phosphorus with the chemical cousin, arsenic. it uses that toxic element to thrive. >> yo

. >> reporter: at 240 pounds, tracy was considered morbidly obese.ore than 100 pounds overweight and eligible for lap band surgery. the minimally invasive surgery places a tube around the top part of the stomach, limiting how much food a person can eat. it's been so successful, an fda panel is now recommending expanding guidelines so people 50 to 75 pounds overweight can get the device. >> two years and one month. >> reporter: dr. perez shaw says he often sees patients who would benefit. >> we're always caught with the patients that fall in the gray zone. we'll see easily five or six patients a month who just miss the cutoff. >> reporter: many procedures are more invasive and risky. lap band is considered one of the safer surgical options. >> there are many patients who cannot and will not succeed with diet and exercise alone. >> reporter: since her surgery two years ago, tracy has lost 77 pounds. she says it's changed her life. >> i feel like the lap band allows you the freedom if you will of knowing you're not -- if you continue to work it you won'

right now, the fda states lap band surgery is only appropriate for the morbidly obese.ere's how it breaks down. today, a 5'6" person without medical problems would need to weigh 247 pounds to qualify for the surgery. but that could change under the new proposal. they'd qualify weighing 216 pounds. if that same person has diabetes or hypertension, they would be approved for surgery weighing just 186 pounds. while effective at helping people lose weight, it is very serious surgery. 90% of those who undergo it experience side effects. nausea, difficulty eating, reflux, infection. 30% of those who have the surgery will go on to have it undone because of the side effects or difficulty keeping with the restrictions on how they can eat. but despite the side effects, for obese people, failing with diet and exercise, many doctors believe the benefits of surgery are worth it. and more americans should be allowed to have it. >> it's the simplest operation but it may be the most challenging to live with. >> rich, 40 million more people eligible for this major surgery. how do you fe

one in three is classed as morbidly obese. in europe, britain is the fattest nations. they're, 61% of people are overweight and one in four is obese. germany is roughly on a par with the oecd average. the japanese, widely perceived as being among the more slender people, are also getting fatter. obesity is not just a problem for those affected, this is putting a strain on health services around the world. being overweight or obese increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes and the the physical strain of carrying the extra pounds leads to bone and joint problems. obesity can reduce a person's life expectancy by 8-10 years. research suggests that fat people are more likely to be unemployed and on an average of 18% bonds and earning an average of 18% less than people that are not -- and earning on average 18% less than people who are not fat. the better educated people are, the more likely they are to stay slim. >> the problem with being overweight is not just confined to industrialized countries. this is also on the rise in some american economies. in the past, they

people considered morbidly obese are 50% more likely to die in a serious car crash than people of normal moderately obese people 20% more likely to die. the researchers are urging auto makers to include dummies representative of overweight people in their crash tests. >>> a big storm brewing, when will it hit? ,,,,,,,,,,,, the moment you feel run down or achy nip flu-like symptoms in the bud, with oscillococcinum. get oscillo and feel like yourself again. oscillococcinum, nip it in the bud. sc >> the latest statistics show 40% of oakland's high school students don't graduate, and for those who try to get their ged later in life, there is some help. sharon chin introduces us this week to jefferson award winners. two women who helped jefferson adults take the next step in education. >> because i didn't have confidence in myself that i could pass the high school exit exam. >> reporter: nicole edwards dropped out of high school at age 17 but three years later she's studying for the ged. she wants to be a lawyer. >> anything i want to do is possible and that i can achieve my goals and dreams.

well, new information today that there may be hope if you're not just really, really morbidly obese, just a little bit less heavy. we'll explain just ahead. we're watching for the house floor for that censure vote on charlie rangel who was found guilty of violating 11 house ethics rules. it could happen any moment now. that of course the vote on extending the bush tax cuts if you're making 250,000 bucks or less. we'll take both those stories live as soon as it happens. >>> welcome back to the newsroom. of course we still have our eye on washington. let's take you to live pictures to the house of representatives which is nearing a vote this afternoon on the tax cut plan and as i said we're watching, of course, as soon as we know what's going on. we'll let you know. keep in mind that's not the only thing going on in washington. there's another huge story involving this man, congressman charlie rangel last seen before the house ethics committee which found him guilty of 11 rules violations. so after today's tax vote rangel's case will go the house floor where he faces possible censure t

they are considered over weight, but right now not morbidly obese and do not qualify for the surgery.he current guideline is at least 40. if the change is approved, double the number of americans would then be eligible for the lap band operation. fighting childhood obesity is the driving force behind a huge volunteer effort which is going on in san jose. hundreds of people are expected to build 2500 brand-new bikes to give to children in need or at risk of developing diabetes. part of a program called turning wheels for kids. good morning and thanks for coming by. >> thank you very much. >> you have been doing this for a while. you get bikes that are new, right? you build them and give them to kids in need? >> for the last six years, it's by a nonprofit organization to build bikes and provide them to kid who is don't have them. >> it's a double-edged thing. you are giving a bike to a kid and it's a great christmas present. the kind of gift that you can come out and move and keep kids active too. >> some of them are in the hospital system and give the bikes during the course of the yea

. >> now federal regulators seem poised to give one procedure, usually reserved for the morbidly obeset for millions of other americans battling less bulge. bill weir looks at the pros and the cons. >> reporter: at least three days a week, come sun or bitter massachusetts cold, rashita brown gets out of bed before work, puts on her favorite gospel music, and jogs three miles. >> my snacks consist of watercress and cheese. >> reporter: with this kind of discipline she has lost 55 pounds over the past five years. a routine not driven by vanity but fear. you see, back when she was a self-described big girl, she learned that aside from the aches and pains her weight had given her chronic diabetes. >> i remember my endocrinologist told me about, you're going to lose your toes. i've got great toes, i didn't want to lose my toes. so i started walking. >> reporter: she could only manage to lose a few pounds then started researching her surgical options. the procedures where a doctor cuts away part of the stomach or reroutes the intestines frightened her. then she came across a process that wou

it's been effective in those that are morbidly obese.g looked at to see if it is available for more people? >> who are we talking about here? >> you have to have a body mass of 40. someone who is 5'9", that means you would have to weigh 271 pounds. for the new classifications, the same person would have to weigh 237. and if you have a medical condition like diabetes, even lower. like around 200 pounds. >> why is that? >> if you have those conditions, you're at greater risk of dying from being overweight. they're expanding the indication. >> of course, the surgeries are not without side-effects. >> that's right. it is very effective in the population. but 90% of people had side-effects. half of those were moderate or severe. nausea, difficulty eating and reflux. long-term studies, 30% of people have the surge undone over time. and some have died. >> rich, we know you're calm and easy-going. it's rare to get you fired up. there's something you uncovered in the review that has you upset. >> as we've looked at this and who is reviewing this

once only an option for the morbidly obese, it may now become available for those with less to lose,ing news." now back to "the early show." >>> it is seven minutes past the hour now. we turn back outside to dave price. dave says he can take a bill's game in this kind of snow. keeping promising to go up there with me to attend one. >> this is the perfect time of the year, jeff. >> absolutely have. >> to go to what was rich stadium. remember that? >> wilson stadium. >> right. ralph wilson stadium. 80,000 people jammed in, cheering on those buffalo bills who have had kind of a tough year, jeff. >> we're doing all right. we won two. >> won two. let's not talk about the beginning of the season. >> come on. >> we're both proud, big buffalo supporters. nice to see you on this chilly morning, jeffrey! we've got friends. ssssaaa web that? no, you don't. you're from safety harbor, florida. been here since early morning. nice to see you. thanks for coming. >>> a check of the weather, see what's happening. chilly down there in north florida. got some cold temperatures, but it's going to be back