Researchers have found that having friends who gain weight — especially friends of the same gender — raises your chance of becoming overweight by more than 50 percent. That’s far more than if your spouse gains weight. But they’ve also found that the same type of social influence can help you lose weight. In fact,… read on >
More than 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. About 38 percent of those people are considered obese, the agency says. Obesity raises a person’s risk for health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers. Obesity is commonly measured by calculating body… read on >
Planning ahead is the key to staying healthy and safe when you go hiking or camping, experts say. “‘Be prepared’ is the Boy Scout motto, and it is one of the best ways to avoid pitfalls and make the most of any hiking or camping trip,” said Dr. Jonathan Adams, a family medicine physician with… read on >
Eating a wide variety of foods might not be good for you after all, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA). “Eating a more diverse diet might be associated with eating a greater variety of both healthy and unhealthy foods. Combined, such an eating pattern may lead to increased food… read on >
Eating fewer calories is essential when you want to lose weight, but there’s growing evidence that the quality of those calories matters, too. Eating high-quality foods not only boosts weight loss, but also reduces your risk for chronic diseases. High-quality foods are fresh or minimally processed. Think vegetables and fruits, whole grains, plant-based fats and… read on >
As a tool to reduce the public health toll of drinking, higher taxes on alcohol get the most bang for the buck, a new study finds. Worldwide, more than 4 percent of diseases and 5 percent of deaths are directly linked with alcohol, previous research suggests. In this study, researchers looked at data from 16… read on >
You can splurge from time to time and still lose weight when you choose foods that are lavish but also low-calorie. The meat in a steamed one-pound lobster has fewer than 100 calories. If you don’t want to fuss, order a broiled lobster tail. King crab legs are another succulent favorite that can sub for… read on >
Researchers have identified what they describe as the safest, most effective short-term drug treatments for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s methylphenidate for kids and amphetamines for adults, according to a new study. Those conclusions are drawn from an analysis of more than 133 clinical trials that included more than 14,000 children and teens, as well… read on >
Parents often struggle to get their kids to eat more vegetables. But could something as simple as a picture of broccoli on a plate get children to load up on the healthy stuff? Probably, at least for preschoolers, a new study reports. When the kids were served lunch on a plate divided into four sections… read on >
Allergies and asthma can make the start of the new school year a challenge for kids who aren’t prepared to deal with flare-ups, an allergist warns. “Every age group is different in how much they can handle when it comes to protecting themselves from flare-ups due to allergies and asthma while at school, as well… read on >
-300x173.jpg)
