Melinda Johnson

MONDAY, June 17 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. Hispanic children have high rates of obesity, and a new study suggests exposure to junk food ads on television might be one reason why.

According to the study based on 2010 data, Hispanic children under the age of 18 viewed an average of 12 food a...Full Article

SUNDAY, June 16 (HealthDay News) -- Eating breakfast every day may help overweight women reduce their risk of diabetes, a small new study suggests.

When women skipped the morning meal, they experienced insulin resistance, a condition in which a person requires more insulin to bring thei...Full Article

WEDNESDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- Restricting the sale of large sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages in restaurants and other food-service outlets would affect 7.5 percent of Americans each day and have the greatest impact on overweight people, according to a ...Full Article

TUESDAY, June 11 (HealthDay News) -- Clever food labeling can fool well-intentioned consumers into believing that foods labeled sugar-free, fat-free or whole-wheat are healthy choices, a dietitian says.

"Consumer food marketing can be extremely persuasive, and the right buzzword on a pack...Full Article

TUESDAY, June 4 (HealthDay News) -- Black and Hispanic teens who go to school near fast-food restaurants are more likely to be overweight and to not benefit as much from exercise as white or Asian students, researchers have found.

Because teens often make independent food choices before, ...Full Article

MONDAY, June 3 (HealthDay News) -- Vegetarians may live longer than meat-lovers, new research suggests.

Scientists in California analyzed the diets of 73,300 Seventh Day Adventists, and found that vegetarians were less likely to die from any cause or from cause-specific reasons, except f...Full Article

THURSDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- People who eat at fast-food restaurants are consuming significantly more calories than they realize -- and teens are the worst offenders, a new study found.

"Teens underestimate the number of calories in their meals by as much as 34 percent, parents of...Full Article

THURSDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- While some fast-food chains are required to provide calorie and other nutritional information to help customers make informed choices, kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use this information th...Full Article

SATURDAY, May 18 (HealthDay News) -- Vitamin D supplements may help those with Crohn's disease overcome the fatigue and decreased muscle strength associated with the inflammatory bowel disease, according to new research.

Extra vitamin D "was associated with significantly less physical, em...Full Article

THURSDAY, May 16 (HealthDay News) -- Having a fast-food restaurant nearby might be a convenience, but living within two miles of one may be a little too convenient.

According to a new study, black Americans who live near these businesses have a higher body-mass index than those living far...Full Article

TUESDAY, May 14 (HealthDay News) -- Most Americans should consume less salt, but too little salt can also cause health problems for some, a new report says.

The problem is that there is scant evidence for determining exactly how much salt is too much and how little is too little, accordin...Full Article

MONDAY, May 13 (HealthDay News) -- The next time you sit down at your favorite local eatery, ponder this: Two new studies find that the average restaurant meal provides diners with most of the calories, fats and salt they require for the entire day.

The authors of both reports said...Full Article

FRIDAY, May 10 (HealthDay News) -- The food you eat may affect your level of sleepiness or alertness during the day, according to a new, small study.

Researchers assessed the daytime sleepiness/alertness levels of 31 healthy, non-obese people, aged 18 to 65, who were normal sleepers. Then...Full Article

WEDNESDAY, May 8 (HealthDay News) -- Next time you have a craving for fast food, don't kid yourself that choices today are much healthier, a new study says.

The nutritional quality of menu items at fast-food restaurants has improved only modestly over 14 years, according to researchers.Full Article

WEDNESDAY, May 1 (HealthDay News) -- Young U.S. adults are consuming more added sugars in their food and drinks than older -- and apparently wiser -- folks, according to a new government report.

Released Wednesday, data from the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that f...Full Article