BOSTON -- In Monday's medical news, NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh reported on yoga and backaches, Christmas cheer for children with cancer and an increase of stomach reduction surgeries.

Stomach Reduction Surgeries

More Americans are shrinking their stomachs to combat obesity, according to a new report.

According to a report in Archives of Surgery, the number of bariatric surgeries performed in the United States jumped from about 12,000 in 1998 to more than 70,000 in 2002 -- an increase of 450 percent.

Researchers attribute the less-invasive laproscopic procedure and an increase in the number of institutions performing obesity surgery to the jump.

Yoga and Back Pain

A little bit of stretching can go a long way to easing low back pain, according to a new study.

Researchers followed more than 100 people with low back pain. One group attended a weekly yoga class, the second focused on aerobic and strengthening exercises, and the third read a self-care book on back pain.

After 12 weeks, patients in the yoga group reported better back function. At 26 weeks, they also reported less pain.

The study is in December's Annals of Internal Medicine.

Santa Visits Mass. General

Jolly Old St. Nicholas is making sure all the stockings Massachusetts General Hospital are hung with care.

Santa Claus made the rounds in the pediatric cancer unit Monday, bringing the Christmas spirit to all the good little girls and boys.

"They probably already know everybody cares for them, but this is a little something extra they can take home today," said Mass. General's Linda Comeau.

Comeau is a member of the orthopedics department at Mass General. She sewed all the stockings by hand and all the gifts were donated by hospital employees.