Blog List

Research in Scotland has found the health of pregnant women and their babies is put at risk when mothers are overweight or underweight. The analysis of 110,000 pregnancies between 2003 and 2010 showed the risk of complications increased in women with a higher BMI. These women also had an increased risk of hypertension and diabetes, which can affect the baby. While obese women were 45% more likely...

The head of Amsterdam’s health service is claiming sugar is the "most dangerous drug of the times" and is calling for the substance to be tightly regulated. Research has found that sugar, unlike fat, actually interferes with the body’s appetite and creates an insatiable desire to keep eating. " Whoever uses sugar wants more and more, even when they are no longer hungry. Give someone eggs and...

Milk and cookies may be a beloved combination, but a US doctor has raised concerns over kids eating late-night sugary snacks. Dr Julie Wei says the combination of sugar and dairy late at night could be causing runny noses, coughs, sore throats and fatigue. After treating a number of children with these chronic symptoms, she found that many of them frequently had sugary snacks such as cookies, as...

One in four teachers say they’ve seen pupils fall asleep in class, while one in seven pupils is turning up to primary school hungry. A new report in the UK has found that 820,000 children are skipping breakfast at least once a week and that many parents are struggling to afford enough food. The Lost Education report commissioned by Kellogg’s found that 12% of parents don’t give their...

There have been calls for a stronger focus on caring for the mental health of mum and baby during post-natal care. Obstetrician Dr Dan Poulter has said that Britain needs a new preventive approach from the earliest days of pregnancy to avoid mental and physical problems later in life. At the moment, focus is on the physical health of mothers and infants in basic areas such as weight gain, however...

A new study has found pregnant women in Ireland are drinking significantly more during pregnancy than women in other countries. While the research didn't look at the effect of alcohol on the developing baby’s brain, it did find that alcohol consumption hadn't adversely affected the baby’s weight or caused premature births. The research carried out in University College Cork found eight...

In an attempt to combat the growing problem of childhood obesity in America, schools in 19 US states are weighing children and measuring their body mass index. Pupils are being sent home with report cards informing their parents whether they are “healthy” or “overweight”. While officials say the measurements are useful in tackling obesity, many parents have criticised the practice...

A new report from Public Health England says spending too much time in front of television, DVDs and computer games is taking its toll on children's physical and mental health. The agency, which is encouraging families to adopt healthier behaviour, says children who spend more time watching screens tend to have higher levels of anxiety and depression. Youngsters who spent less than one hour a...

Spanish research published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing claims the onset of breast cancer can be delayed by up to a decade by breastfeeding for over six months – but only in non-smokers. The study of 504 breast cancer patients aged 19 to 91 found non-smoking women who breastfed for at least six months were diagnosed on average at the age of 68.4. This was more than a decade later than...

New data published by the British Heart Foundation has raised serious concerns over the health of children in the UK. The report found 80% of children are not eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, with many eating crisps, biscuits or sweets at least once a day. The research also showed that 39% of girls and 43% of boys drink one can of fizzy drink a day, despite...