Grains, fruits, vegetables, oils, milk and meat and beans are the groups on the food pyramid for children created by the United States Department of Agriculture. The recommendation is that, though the quantities would differ, foods from each food...
Fatty liver disease is very much what it sounds like; the condition occurs when fat accumulates around the liver, either due to alcohol use or nonalcoholic factors. The disease may result in inflammation, scarring and eventually liver failure. In...
Many weight-loss programs use calorie counting to help you lose weight. Weight Watchers developed a way to monitor food intake based on a point system. You are allotted a budget of daily and weekly points to stay within for healthy weight...
The term "morbidly obese" is applied to any individual that is 50 to 100 percent above their ideal body weight. The term also applies to a person with a body mass index of 39 and above. While the cure for morbid obesity seems simple --...
The first question to ask yourself when wondering how to help your depressed daughter is what do you mean by "depressed." If you mean "unhappy because of poor self-image and social concerns," you can address this yourself as a parent. If you mean...
Childhood obesity has become a health epidemic. Children are twice as likely to be obese now than they were 30 years ago. While obesity can cause serious health problems, simple lifestyle changes can successfully treat the condition.
Faced with more fad-diet options than they can count, overweight and obese teens often feel at a loss when it comes to figuring out just how they should lose weight. But losing weight doesn't need to involve gimmicks or a complicated regimen. If...
It can happen so gradually you might not even notice until you unexpectedly catch your reflection in a mirror and realize you have gained weight. Or perhaps you find yourself insisting your clothes feel tight because the dryer shrunk them....
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2004, more than two-thirds of American adults are either overweight or obese. Obesity results from a simple surplus of calories-- you eat more calories than...
Gynecomastia is a condition in males that causes male breast-tissue growth. It is highly treatable through medical intervention and home remedies. Another reason for enlarged male breasts is the formation of excess fatty tissue during bouts of...
Although the USDA recommends a diet high in whole grains, vegetables, fruits and lean proteins, the typical American diet falls short of this recommendation. Busy schedules, combined with the prevalence of fast food restaurants and widespread...
Children are getting fatter: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 17 percent of American children weighed too much or could be classified as obese in 2008. Obesity represents a well-known risk factor for type...
Carbohydrates are necessary for your health and wellness. Carbohydrates are your body's major source of energy. Without carbohydrates, your body would not grow or sustain your daily activities. With the advent of processed and packaged foods,...
An excess of sugar in your diet can lead to a plethora of health complications including obesity, diabetes and heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. Although certain sugars are necessary compounds vital to your health, an...
Carbohydrates are sugars that serve as building blocks for tissue, organ and muscle cells. Your body also turns carbohydrates in foods into glucose, which provides energy for exercise and daily tasks. However, a diet high in carbohydrates may lead...
The macrobiotic diet is a way of eating that focuses on consuming whole, natural foods as often as possible. The American Cancer Society states that following a diet that is high in fiber and low in fat, such as a macrobiotic diet, has been shown...
Metabolic syndrome, or insulin resistance, is a condition in which the body produces insulin, a hormone responsible for blood sugar regulation, but cannot properly use it. Insulin resistance is the precursor to health conditions such as diabetes...
The much-maligned carbohydrate is actually needed in your daily diet because it is the main source of fuel for your body. Carbohydrates are neither all good nor all bad. It is true that some are healthier for you than others. Carbohydrates should...
Slow starches are those that are more difficult to digest in the small intestine. The body must work harder to break the chemical bonds and convert the complex starches into simple sugars that the it can use for energy. Dr. George Troxler,...
Weight gain in the abdominal region can be caused by multiple reasons, including pregnancy, heredity or, simply, age. Extra weight on your midsection can certainly be embarrassing, not to mention unhealthy, considering the various diseases...
There are several health behaviors that may lead to risk for chronic medical conditions, severe impairments in daily functioning or death. Naturalnews.com summarizes four major health risk habits that may impair overall health. These risky...
Triglycerides are fats obtained from the diet that are carried in the blood. Most triglycerides consumed are in the form of butter, margarine and oils. Excessive caloric intake, including calories from alcohol and sugar, is also converted to...
Childhood obesity has received a lot of media attention as a growing problem in the United States. The road to children's fitness can begin with an ordinary walk. Medical experts advise adults to walk 10,000 steps per day for good health, and...
"Ideal body weight" means different things to different people. Just ask a professional body builder and a professional model what the phrase means to them. However, authorities ranging from the World Health Organization to Harvard University's...
Weight gain that leads to obesity is not a normal part of aging and can bring about many health complications. It's important for women to understand the dangers associated with weight gain after menopause, in order to take measures to reverse or...
The average person should get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day; in most cases, a serving is 1 cup. Most people only get about three daily servings, reports the Harvard School of Public Health. Incorporating plenty of produce...
Carbohydrates are a main dietary component with the primary function of providing energy to your body. They come in two forms: simple and complex. When it comes to deciding how much you should eat from a particular food category each day, in this...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine states exceeded a 30 percent obesity rate in 2009 and no state met the country's Healthy People 2010 goal of lowering obesity rates to 15 percent or less. Being overweight is not...
Corn nuts are sometimes viewed as a healthy snack alternative. Just how healthy is a matter of what you're comparing them to. Compared to potato chips, they're reasonably healthy. Compared to veggie slices, not so much. The information below is...
Underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, leads to a large range of symptoms, often resembling other illnesses. Learn more about underactive thyroids in this health video.
