PULSE.

IT REALLY IS YOUR METABOLISM: Americans battling obesity, diabetes, heart disease or some combination of all of the above may be relieved to know that it really may be their metabolism, according to Reza Yavari, endocrinologist and author of ``It Must Be My Metabolism!'' (McGraw-Hill; $16.95).

The book pins an assortment of obesity-related health problems on metabolic syndrome, a loosely defined condition sometimes called ``syndrome X'' and characterized by high blood pressure, low ``good'' cholesterol, high fasting glucose, and yes, the dreaded ``apple shape.'' Metabolic syndrome is estimated to affect more than 40 million Americans and, according to Yavari, is why so many of us have trouble losing weight and keeping it off, despite watching our food intake.

The good news? With dedication, metabolic syndrome is reversible. In addition to describing the condition and its symptoms, Yavari discusses potential related health problems. Emphasizing stress reduction, Yavari also guides you in designing a personal exercise program to boost your metabolism, and he includes low-calorie recipes by chef Jacques Pepin to give your diet a push in the right direction. A six-month, day-by-day guide to reversing metabolic syndrome included in the last section may just be the key to losing the apple shape forever.

- Andy Wang

HYPOCHONDRIACS UNITE: Think that nagging cough is actually SARS? It probably is. But you can breathe a sigh of relief and count your blessings - at least you don't have furious rabies. Unless, of course, you do.

``The Hypochondriac's Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have'' (Bloomsbury USA; $14.95) is a macabre tour of the 45 most horrifying (yet very real) diseases you may ever imagine, let alone come across. Author Dennis DiClaudio makes deadly afflictions almost fun with his implausible humor, introducing the brave to wild gross-outs like alien hand syndrome (it ``won't always try to kill you'') and bejel (``in which you get syphilis just by touching someone'').

The guide is categorized into types of diseases, such as bacterial (you'll find leprosy here) and autoimmune (like toxic epidermal necrolysis). Each entry comes complete with symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment and an illustration for hours of guaranteed heebie-jeebies.

- A.W.

INTERACTIVE BOARD GAME WARDS OFF BOREDOM: Who can forget the colorful, classic game Candy Land? Now Hasbro has given the old favorite a new twist with the Candy Land DVD game (Hasbro; $29.99). The game gets kids moving by encouraging them to jump, wave and hop up and down to the music along with beloved Candy Land residents Mr. Mint, Gramma Nutt and King Kandy. The game is designed to get kids off the couch and into make-believe scenarios where they can trek through Peppermint Forest and skate across Snow Flake Lake. In addition, the characters lead players in updated versions of other classic games such as Simon Says, Musical Chairs and Follow the Leader.

Geared for kids ages 4 and up - and for two to four players - the DVD also helps reinforce color recognition and listening skills. In addition to the DVD featuring three interactive games, the package includes 24 colored floor mats and 24 scoring tokens.

- Diana McKeon Charkalis

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(1) no caption (book: ``The Hypochondriac's Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have'')

(2 -- 6) no caption (Candy Land DVD game)