Simple steps lead to strides in health.(The Orange County Register)

It's understandable to be fixated on pounds lost when obese people are trying to improve their health through better nutrition and regular exercise.

After all, health experts at every turn are telling us that obesity is on the rise.

But scales aren't a sufficient way to measure the more immediate but less easily apparent health benefits of a sound nutrition/ physical activity regimen, said Dr. Nick Vaziri, director of nephrology and hypertension at University of California, Irvine.

After three weeks of walking daily at a mild-to-moderate pace from 45 minutes to 60 minutes combined with a diet high in grains, fiber, vegetables and fruit, 11 ...