Health | featured news

... That makes it all the more exciting to find one policy that does seem to be working: California’s strict school nutrition standards — soda bans, low calorie foods in cafeterias and limits on fat content — appear to have had a significant impact on what teens there eat.

In the battle against obesity, just about everything is on the table, from creating healthier kids' meals to nagging people to exercise.

Along with a list of breast-feeding’s health benefits for mothers and children, pediatricians often tout an added bonus -- unlike formula, breast milk is free. Not so fast, researchers say.

It turns out you can recycle just about anything these days - even kidneys and other organs donated for transplants. Recently in Chicago, in what is believed to be the first documented case of its kind in the U.S., a transplanted kidney that was failing was removed from a patient while he was still alive and given to somebody else.

Just because the wonder drugs of the ’90s have disappointed doesn’t mean the science should be completely discarded. But it does mean we need a more sophisticated theory of depression.

People have placed lots of stock in vitamin C to address all kinds of health issues; many people swear by it as a way to ward off the common cold, for instance, even though that connection is scientifically shaky.

Scientists have discovered two gene variants that appear to play a critical role in the development of common childhood obesity, according to a large genetic study released Sunday. The discovery could eventually lead to treatments and specific lifestyle advice for heavy children.

Too busy in your hectic life to “take ten” to ground yourself for the day? Too much to do and too little time? Stressed out beyond belief and you can’t imagine sparing any extra time to stop and take stock and take a daily pulse? Do you want to get off this endless cycle of “to dos” but can’t seem to get away from your life “inbox?”

High-tech sensors are everywhere. They alert us to spoiled food. They monitor our stress levels. And they’re blowing up in the health and fitness space, too, helping us track our key sleep and activity metrics. And now we have the Philips ErgoSensor Monitor, a desktop display that keeps an eye on one’s posture.

The happier you are, the better, right? Not necessarily. Studies show that there is a darker side to feeling good and that the pursuit of happiness can sometimes make you . . . well, less happy.