The number of food ads targeting American children has declined, but most of the ads they do see are for unhealthy foods, a new study finds. Under a voluntary initiative launched in 2007, major food and beverage companies agreed to reduce unhealthy product advertising to children younger than 12. The study found, though, that children…  read on >

All-you-can-eat buffets are known diet disasters, but they’re far from the only minefields you’re likely to face. Plan ahead to avoid these 5 high-calorie situations. First up is the office birthday party. If there’s a gooey cake every month, suggest a fruit bouquet or bring your own portion-controlled treat to have instead. Another option is…  read on >

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who takes one of a class of anti-reflux meds such as Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid, take heed: These drugs have been linked to higher odds of kidney trouble. The study couldn’t prove cause-and-effect — it’s possible that folks who need these heartburn medicines are simply more prone…  read on >

A healthy diet may translate into a healthier old age, researchers report. The scientists followed close to 1,000 men and women in England, who were born in March 1946, throughout their adulthood. Those who ate more fruits, vegetables and whole-grain cereals — and fewer highly processed foods — throughout adulthood did better on three tests…  read on >

Struggling to lose weight? Maybe posting that selfie on social media can help, researchers say. Their study included 33 people in two weight-loss groups — surgical and nonsurgical — who regularly blogged or posted online about their weight-loss experiences and were followed for four years. Sharing their successes and setbacks on social media helped the…  read on >

Can caffeine help people with chronic kidney disease live longer? That’s the suggestion of a new study that found that among more than 2,300 Americans with chronic kidney disease, those who drank the most caffeinated drinks reduced their risk of premature death by 24 percent. “Our study showed a dose-dependent protective effect of caffeine consumption…  read on >

Think you know what’s in your favorite supplement? Think again. More than half of the herbal and dietary supplements analyzed by researchers contained ingredients that differed from the list on their labels. Some had hidden ingredients that might actually harm health, researchers said. Bodybuilding and weight-loss supplements, in particular, tended to contain ingredients not listed…  read on >