News archive
Risk of obesity among children increases with a TV in bedroom
Young children with televisions in their bedrooms are more likely to be overweight later in childhood, according to a study by University College London (UCL). The more time spent watching TV, the more likely a child was to put on weight later on....
Fitness trackers inaccurate when measuring calories burned
Many wearable fitness trackers are failing to accurately measure the number of calories people are burning, according to a new study by Stanford University. While the fitness trackers are good at measuring heart rate, the researchers were...
No link found between dairy products and heart attack or stroke
The risk of heart attack or stroke does not increase when consuming milk, cheese or yogurt, according to research by an international team of experts. In a challenge to the widely held belief that dairy products can be bad for your health, the...
Gluten free diet may increase risk of obesity
Experts have warned that replacing foods with gluten free alternatives could increase the risk of obesity, as these alternatives usually contain much higher levels of fats than the foods that they are replacing. For those who suffer from coeliac...
Breast cancer reducing weight loss scheme unveiled
A £1m pilot scheme has been unveiled, aiming to help women become more active and lose weight in order to reduce their chances of developing breast cancer. ActWell have invited women over 50 to attend screenings and be a part of the trial,...
Weekly exercise can keep the mind sharp for people over 50 years
Taking part in moderate exercise several times each week improves the brain power of people aged 50 years and above, according to new research. Researchers at the University of Canberra analysed 39 previous studies, and found that thinking and...
Controlled diet can slow cancer growth
Cancer Research UK suggest that a controlled amino acid-restrictive diet can be used as an additional treatment for some cancer patients. Research discovered that the removal of two non-essential amino acids, serine and glycine, from the diet of...
Under 25s risking health with dairy free diets
A charity is warning that dairy-free diet could be a "ticking time bomb" for the bone health of young people. A National Osteoporosis Society survey found that around 20 per cent of under-25s are following dairy-free or dairy-reduced diets. ...
Over 20 million physically inactive in the UK
A report by the British Heart Foundation suggests that more than 20 million people in the UK are physically inactive. The charity raises concerns about inactivity, saying it costs the NHS around £1.2bn each year and vastly increases the risk of...
MPs call for end of junk food deals
A group of MPs has said that more must be done by the government to reduce the amount of multi-buy and reduced price offers available on unhealthy foods. A Health Select Committee report also demands stricter regulations placed on junk food...
Childhood activity rates drop around the age of seven
It is thought that, of the children who stop exercising, the majority stop in adolescence, however a study in The British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that most actually fall away around the age of seven. The research suggests that from the...
Mediterranean diet can reduce risk of breast cancer
A study for the World Cancer Research Fund suggests that following a Mediterranean diet could reduce the risk of contract a certain type of breast cancer by up to 40 per cent. The Mediterranean diet, which consists of large amounts of fish, nuts,...
Sugar tax to net schools GBP 415m
Education Secretary Justine Greening has said that the levy on drinks that have a high sugar content will provide £415m of funding for sports and healthy eating in schools. The funds will be allocated to all schools across the UK, in order to help...
Health apps may do more harm than good according to scientists
The usefulness of smartphone health apps and fitness trackers is being attacked, with one health expert criticising the 10,000 steps a day 'target' that features on many apps. Dr Greg Hager, a professor of computer science at Johns Hopkins...
Sugar content in breakfast cereals remains too high according to Action on Sugar
A new warning has been issued over the amount of sugar found in breakfast cereals, with pressure group Action on Sugar claiming that the levels have remained high for decades. Investigating the sugar and salt content of 63 popular breakfast...
Grapes could protect against Alzheimers disease claims study
Adding two daily handfuls of grapes into your diet could help prevent Alzheimers disease, according to new research. Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia, and the condition gets progressively worse over time. However, a group of scientists...
New school exercise regime created to battle childhood obesity
An exercise regime is being introduced across the country in an attempt to reduce childhood obesity. The regime, entitled the Health Active Schools Systems (HASS), was created by children's activity provider Fit For Sport. One of the main benefits...
Browned toast and potatoes may cause cancer, say scientists
Eating foods such as bread and potatoes may increase your risk of developing cancer if they have been cooked until they are a brown colour, according to government food scientists. This claim is based on the effects of a chemical known as...