Search

Obesity affects about 1 out of every 5 kids. Carrying too much body fat can affect almost every system in your body. It can contribute to many long-term health problems. These include heart disease, diabetes, and mental health issues. “Prevention and detection of childhood obesity is important because the longer you have it, the more at risk you are of developing related complications,” explains…, Starting Early, Researchers are studying interventions for childhood obesity as early as preconception and pregnancy, Osganian says. Studies have found that a mother’s weight, diet, and physical activity during pregnancy can affect a child’s risk of obesity. Scientists are trying to unravel how diet and exercise during pregnancy influence an infant’s weight, body fat, and [qtip:, metabolism, |Chemical changes in the body that create the energy and substances you need to grow, move, and stay healthy.]. Infants who have a high birth weight or gain weight too fast have an increased risk for childhood obesity. NIH research has also shown a link between obesity and a lack of sleep that begins as early as infancy. An NIH-funded program called INSIGHT tested ways to address these early risk…, Growing Healthy Habits, Obesity comes from taking in more energy, or calories, than your body uses. So it’s important for kids to choose both healthy foods and appropriate portion sizes. Getting enough physical activity helps their bodies use more of the calories they take in. “Parents can help prevent childhood obesity by focusing on their child’s diet, activity, and sleep within the home through the teenage years,”…, Getting Healthy Together, Diet and physical activity are both key for obesity treatment. Epstein’s work has shown that treating the whole family can have added benefits. His group has developed family-based behavioral interventions. These target both parent and child for healthy eating and more physical activity. They also include guidance for parents on modeling healthy behaviors and positive parenting tools. “The…

Your kidneys function as your body’s filters. These two organs clear out toxins and compounds that would otherwise build up in your blood. This keeps the rest of your body running smoothly. Your kidneys filter around 150 quarts of blood each day. This blood is circulated around your entire body. “So when the kidneys aren’t working well, every cell and every organ in the body can be affected,”…, Detecting Kidney Dysfunction, The most common causes of CKD are diabetes, high blood pressure, and [qtip:cardiovascular disease|Related to the heart and the vessels that circulate blood through the body.]. These health conditions can damage the kidneys over time. Treating them as early as possible can reduce your risk of related kidney problems. Genetics and a family history of kidney diseases can also raise your risk for…, Dietary Changes, One important thing that people with CKD can do to stay healthy longer is make certain changes to their diet. “Dietary changes are a fundamental aspect of managing chronic kidney disease,” says Dr. Meryl Waldman, who studies nutrition and kidney health at NIH. Avoiding foods and drinks high in certain nutrients may prevent or delay some health problems for people with CKD. These include foods…, Getting Treatment, Other lifestyle changes, like getting more exercise and sleep, reducing stress, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco also help your body and organs work better together, Waldman adds. Medications are a vital part of managing CKD, too. Some drugs to help manage CKD treat the underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. “But in the last 10 years, there have been remarkable advances…

Outbreaks of a contagious “stomach bug” called norovirus can spread quickly. It often crops up in cruise ships, nursing homes, and other crowded places. People of any age can become infected with a norovirus. But the very old and young children are more likely to become very sick. Noroviruses can affect your stomach and intestines. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain.…

More than 1 out of 3 older adults in the U.S. have chronic low back pain. Pain is considered chronic when it lasts more than three months. Some find relief with pain medications or physical therapy. But others need more options. A new study looked at how much acupuncture might help older adults with chronic back pain. Acupuncture uses thin metal needles to stimulate specific points on the body.…

Many Americans don’t get enough exercise. A lack of physical activity can increase the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. A new study suggests that your neighborhood’s design can affect how many steps you get in a day. Walking provides many health benefits. But some neighborhoods aren’t as easy to get around on foot. They may lack sidewalks, parks, or nearby…

Tendons connect muscles to bones. Without them, your muscles couldn’t move your body. When you injure a tendon, it can affect your everyday activities. “No matter how strong your muscle is, you’re not going to be able to have the functionality and the stability that you need if a tendon is impaired,” says Dr. Nelly Andarawis-Puri, a bioengineering researcher at Cornell University. Tendon troubles…, Breaking the Cycle, “The most common type of tendon injury is an overuse, or wear-and-tear, injury,” explains Andarawis-Puri. “It’s not necessarily painful once it starts and can be silent for a long time. Essentially, you predispose yourself to more and more accumulation of damage. Then, eventually you have degeneration.” Getting treatment early can help keep tendon problems from getting worse. Your doctor may…, Reversing Chronic Conditions, The highly organized nature of tendons is key for them to work properly. “But tendons are a rather lazy organ,” Abraham explains. “They are slow to adapt, if they adapt at all.” Abraham’s team is trying to understand the changes tendons undergo from chronic injuries. They’ve developed a system that allows them to grow 3D tendon-like structures using cells from patients’ tendons. “We’re developing…, Coaxing Repair, Unlike people, some animals can fully repair tendon tissue as adults. For instance, zebrafish completely regenerate tendons throughout their lives. Galloway hopes to learn from them. Her group has shown that tenocytes can repair fully torn tendon tissue in zebrafish. Her recent study showed that the cells bridge fully severed tissue back together. People and other mammals have tenocytes, too. But…

After you eat, your stomach breaks down the food before pushing it along. How long it takes for your stomach to empty depends on many factors. Meals that are big, fatty, or high in calories will empty more slowly, but it also depends on your health. Some people have a condition that makes food empty slower than it should. It’s called gastroparesis. Gastroparesis isn’t common. But about 1 in 4…

For over 30 years, doctors have recommended the DASH diet to help people reduce high blood pressure. Studies have repeatedly shown that the DASH eating plan can improve heart health. The DASH diet seems to have other health benefits. But its effects on blood glucose, also called blood sugar, in people with type 2 diabetes were unclear. The DASH diet encourages eating fruits, vegetables, whole…

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, causes swelling and redness inside your eyelid and the white part of your eye. Your eye may also feel itchy and painful. The condition is common and can sometimes spread very easily. Anyone can get pink eye. It’s usually caused by a virus or bacteria. You can also get it from allergies irritating your eyes. Symptoms include pain in your eye, a very red eye, and a lot…

Developmental language disorder, or DLD, affects about 1 in 14 children who are in kindergarten. DLD is a communication disorder. It can cause problems with learning, understanding, and language. Early treatment during preschool years can improve the skills of many kids with language delays. Visit the website to learn more.