Obesity can lead to liver disease in kids as young as 8 years old, a new study warns. The long-term study of 635 children in Massachusetts found that a bigger waist size at age 3 increases the odds that a child will have a marker for liver damage and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by age…  read on >

Science says you can get your coffee buzz without fear of cancer, so experts say you can forget that recent controversial California law. Last Wednesday, a Los Angeles judge ruled that coffee shops such as Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts must caution customers that coffee contains acrylamide — a potential cancer-causing chemical that forms as a…  read on >

Planning a move in the future? You might want to make sure there are parks nearby. Research suggests that people who live near parks and green space are happier and healthier. For instance, one study in the journal Health & Place looked at the relationship between parks and various health factors among women in the…  read on >

Your pet may be at risk for getting sick if you use raw pet food, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. Pet owners also are at risk of getting sick if they handle food that may be contaminated, the agency adds. If you must feed your pet raw food, the FDA suggests: Wash your…  read on >

Hay fever sufferers often choose the wrong medication for their seasonal sniffles, new research suggests. With flowers, trees and grasses springing back to life, folks with allergies will start to complain of sneezing, runny noses, and watery, itchy eyes. More often than not, though, they’ll head to the allergy aisle of their nearest drug store…  read on >

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sometimes called heartburn, occurs when yourstomachcontents back up into youresophagus. The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says without treatment, GERD can lead to a host of medical issues affecting the esophagus and breathing. To help tame GERD, the agency suggests: Lose any excess weight. Wear loose-fitting…  read on >

Medical care costs in the United States can be so overwhelming that Americans fear the cost of treatment more than the illness itself, a new poll shows. “It’s shocking and unacceptable that medical bills strike more fear in the hearts of Americans than serious illness,” said Shelley Lyford. She is president and CEO of West…  read on >

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision late last year to delay a review of electronic cigarettes and cigars is unlawful and a threat to public health, according to a lawsuit launched by seven medical and public health groups, as well as five individual pediatricians. According to the groups, the FDA’s decision to delay the…  read on >

Most people today simply aren’t as active as people were decades ago. You can blame technology for some of that. The conveniences of modern living have taken away many chances to burn calories. Homes, office buildings and even some public spaces have been modernized in ways that require people to be less physically active throughout…  read on >

Raw fruit and vegetables provide vital nutrients and vitamins. But they may also harbor harmful germs, such as Salmonella andE. coli. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests how to select and store fruit and vegetables: Select producethat doesn’t look bruised or damaged. Keep precut fruit and vegetables cold.Refrigerate it or keep it on…  read on >