obesity

American Prescription Drug use more than Doubles

More Americans take prescription medications than ever before – nearly 60% – and obesity could be to blame.
A new study published in JAMA shows that the number of people taking prescription drugs increased from 51% of the adult population in 1999 to 59% in 2011. Cholesterol and blood pressure drugs are the most-used medications in the U.S. [1]

McDonald’s, Burger King Lure Kids with Toys and Targeted Ads

Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years, and a new study finds that all of those fast-food commercials you see on TV that are clearly aimed at young children are working, and they are compounding the obesity problem.
According to Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth University researchers, kids who watched television channels that aired fast-food commercials were more likely to eat at fast-food restaurants with their families.

Obese Kids’ Health Improves After Just 9 Days Without Added Sugar

In the U.S., children often consume double or triple the amount the federal recommended guidelines for sugar intake, but cutting the amount of sweets that kids consume for as little as 9 days is all it takes for youngsters’ health to start improving, according to a new study from researchers at the University of California-San Francisco and Touro University.

Obesity in Midlife Linked to Earlier Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease

A thick waistline can give you diabetes, heart disease, joint problems, and cause stroke, but now a new study says being overweight in midlife also raises the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and at an earlier age. [1]
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health announced that being overweight or obese at age 50 puts people at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease early.