People start developing unhealthy perceptions of their own bodies in early childhood, a new study suggests. Kids as young as 7 start to judge their bodies in ways that eventually could lead to an eating disorder, researchers report in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology. “It has been clear for many years that we need…  read on >  read on >

A mother’s diet during pregnancy can influence her child’s risk of ADHD and autism, a new study says. In particular, the unhealthy hallmarks of a typical Western diet appeared to increase a child’s risk of developmental disorders, researchers reported in the journal Nature Metabolism. “The greater a woman’s adherence to a Western diet in pregnancy…  read on >  read on >

More than 1 in 3 parents say their child has struggled with cavities, stained teeth, gum problems or tooth pain in the past two years, a new national poll shows. The problems were often linked to poor hygiene habits, especially among kids who didn’t follow recommended brushing, flossing and rinsing routines, according to the C.S.…  read on >  read on >

It’s a cook’s maxim that everything’s better with butter. Except your health, a new study suggests. People who eat loads of butter have a higher risk of premature death, while those who use mostly plant-based oils like canola or olive oil have a lower-than-average risk, researchers found. What’s more, swapping butter out for plant-based oils…  read on >  read on >

Florida’s insurance regulator is demanding detailed prescription data on millions of patients, raising alarms over patient privacy. In January, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation asked pharmacy benefit managers — companies that manage prescription drug plans — to hand over highly personal data about prescriptions filled in the state last year. The data request includes…  read on >  read on >

More than half of adults and a third of children and teens worldwide will be overweight or obese by 2050, a comprehensive global analysis has concluded. Overweight and obesity rates in adults, children and teens more than doubled over the past three decades, afflicting 2.1 billion adults and 493 million young people with excess weight,…  read on >  read on >