Researchers: Link between repeated antibiotic use in early childhood and obesity

October 13, 2014

By Ariana Eunjung Cha When a parent carrying a screaming toddler with a middle-ear infection or other common ailment shows up, many pediatricians instinctively reach for their prescription pads. Despite warnings about the risk of resistance, antibiotics remain one of...

Toddlers who sleep less may eat more

April 9, 2014

Toddlers who get too little sleep tend to eat more and are at increased risk for obesity, a new study indicates. The study included children in over 1,300 British families who had their sleep measured when they were 16 months...

Study: U.S. teens eat too much salt, hiking obesity risk

March 12, 2014

By Alan Mozes American teens are taking in as much dietary salt as adults, far exceeding guidelines on healthy limits for daily consumption, new research warns. The investigation tracked the week-long eating habits of more than 760 black and white...

Obese teens eat up fast food hype, study says

November 29, 2013

Obese teens and young adults may be more receptive to TV fast food ads than those who aren't obese, a new study says. "Given the concerning rates of obesity in U.S. youth and associated health risks, a better understanding of...

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy tied to childhood obesity

October 14, 2013

A study of 41,133 mothers and their children in Arkansas has shown that high pregnancy weight gain increases the risk of obesity in those children through age 12. The findings, published Oct. 1 in PLOS Medicine, suggest pregnancy may be an...

Obesity gene tests may not hamper weight-loss efforts

September 10, 2013

Genetic testing for obesity risk does not discourage people from trying to lose weight —instead, it may help reduce how much they blame themselves for their weight problems, according to a small new study. Research has shown that genes influence...

Simple formula may predict obesity risk at birth

December 5, 2012

Can a child's risk of becoming obese be predicted at birth? British researchers report that a simple formula that uses the child's birth weight, the body mass index of the parents, the number of people in the household, the mother's professional...