Kids can be as strongly influenced by TV commercials as by the shows themselves, and many studies have found that tempting food ads have a particularly harmful effect, contributing to childhood obesity. While the government has stepped in with nutrition guidelines for manufacturers, these are largely voluntary and, therefore, not enforceable. So it’s up to…  read on >

It may still be winter, but it’s never too early to plan for your kids’ summer camp. And now’s the time to think about preparing them to handle allergies and allergic reactions, according to experts at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “Kids who suffer from seasonal allergies, food allergies or asthma…  read on >

Americans aren’t out of the woods yet, as the flu season continues to spread across the country, health officials reported Friday. One major shift that’s occurred is in the viruses that are circulating. At the start of the flu season, the predominant strain was influenza A H1N1, but now a more severe strain, influenza A…  read on >

For decades, U.S. doctors have battled the long hours and demanding schedules that often lead to “burnout.” But a new study brings welcome news, showing a slight decline in the numbers of physicians dealing with the issue. In the third of a series of studies, researchers surveyed more than 5,400 doctors nationwide and found that…  read on >

Osteoporosis is a threat to many women, especially after menopause. But the lead up to weak, brittle bones can start much earlier in life. When bone density drops but isn’t yet at the level of osteoporosis, it’s called osteopenia. Osteopenia affects more than 33 million Americans over age 50, men and women, while 10 million…  read on >

Unwanted pigmentation problems, such as dark spots, can occur in all skin types. Dark spots are primarily caused by sun damage, the American Academy of Dermatology says, noting that the severity of dark spots varies with a person’s history of sun exposure. The academy mentions these ways to treat pigmentation problems among lighter-skinned people: Dark…  read on >

Infections with two strains of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) are showing marked declines among American women, and rising vaccination rates could be driving the trend. That’s the finding from a new study involving thousands of U.S. women who tested positive for precancerous conditions of the cervix. Infection with HPV is by far the…  read on >

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 20, 2019 —Dense root vegetables such as sweet potatoes and parsnips benefit from roasting. They sweeten as they cook, making for healthy comfort food during cold winter months. Follow these general steps for any hard vegetables: Start by cutting them into uniform pieces, so they’ll roast and brown evenly. (Otherwise, you can end…  read on >

Upper body strength is important at every age, but you don’t need to be a bodybuilder to benefit from working your pectoral, or chest, muscles. For a study sponsored by the American Council on Exercise, scientists from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse evaluated nine popular pec exercises to determine which ones best engaged these…  read on >

Following the recipe for food safety is a must anytime you’re in the kitchen, and it starts with clean hands, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says. “Always wash your hands with soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food,” spokeswoman Isabel Maples advised in an academy news release. “Don’t forget…  read on >