Childhood Obesity News and Research

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Why pregnant women struggle to follow healthy diets despite knowing what to eat

A UK study found that women trying to conceive, pregnant, or new mothers face major barriers to eating healthily, from fatigue and nausea to high food costs and generic advice. Support from family, personalized dietetic guidance, and co-created resources were highlighted as key facilitators.

9 Sep 2025

Certain dietary fats found to trigger hard-to-treat asthma in children

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) found that certain lipids, or fats, in obesity-causing foods also cause asthma-like lung inflammation.

27 Aug 2025

Where is childhood obesity growing fastest in England?

The study identifies distinct childhood obesity trends in England, emphasizing the role of local policies and socioeconomic factors in shaping health outcomes.

25 Aug 2025

Most Americans drink less juice than guidelines allow, study finds

A new study of NHANES 2017–2023 data shows that most Americans drink far less 100% fruit juice than the Dietary Guidelines allow. Juice consumption was linked to better diet quality, higher nutrient intake, and did not displace whole fruit.

24 Aug 2025

Colorectal cancer rates nearly triple among younger people in Sweden

According to a study by Karolinska Institutet, nearly three times as many people under the age of 50 in Sweden are diagnosed with colorectal cancer today compared with the early 1990s.

14 Aug 2025

Mother’s genetics may play an important role in influencing her child's weight

A mother's genetics may play a bigger role in determining whether a child becomes overweight than a father's, as a result of a concept known as genetic nurture, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

5 Aug 2025

Extreme childhood obesity drives liver and diabetes risks

Extreme obesity in US youth has risen significantly, linked to higher rates of diabetes and liver complications, necessitating immediate public health action.

22 Jul 2025

Rethinking childhood obesity through gentle nutrition and emotional support

Over the past decades, childhood obesity has become a global health crisis, intensified by the sedentary routines and dietary disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

18 Jul 2025

Parental cholesterol predicts asthma severity in children

Parental metabolic health influences childhood asthma severity, with paternal cholesterol showing modest protective effects against exacerbating symptoms.

18 Jul 2025

Teen obesity and diabetes may weaken lifelong bone strength

Obesity and type 2 diabetes in adolescence can interfere with bone development, potentially increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life, according to a study being presented Monday at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif.

15 Jul 2025

Most kids’ packaged foods in Australia are ultra-processed and energy-dense, study finds

A decade-long analysis of packaged foods for Australian children reveals that most new products are both ultra-processed and high in energy density. The study highlights a pressing need for stronger regulations to protect young consumers’ diets.

14 Jul 2025

Prenatal air pollution exposure linked to higher childhood obesity risk

Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy, specifically to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), may increase the risk of childhood overweight or obesity.

25 Jun 2025

Most British babies eat processed snacks before age one, study finds

Researchers in the UK found that over 87% of parents give processed snack foods to babies and toddlers, often introducing them well before the recommended age. Brand marketing, convenience, and misleading “health halo” claims are major drivers behind these widespread feeding habits.

23 Jun 2025

US children who eat more fruit have less abdominal fat

Research shows that increased fruit consumption is associated with reduced abdominal fat in children, highlighting its importance in obesity prevention.

23 Jun 2025

Half of your kid’s food might be ultra-processed and that’s a problem

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contributed nearly half of daily energy intake among 8–12-year-old Australian children. In older children (10–12), higher UPF intake by weight was linked to increased abdominal obesity and higher BMI z-scores.

19 Jun 2025

Pennington Biomedical’s Greaux Healthy initiative launches to improve child health in Louisiana

Pennington Biomedical Research Center publicly introduced its Greaux Healthy initiative, a public service initiative designed to help improve Louisiana kids' health at every age, during the weekly Red Stick Farmer's Market on Thursday.

6 Jun 2025

Transforming IBS treatment through psychedelic medicine

In a comprehensive Genomic Press Interview published today, Dr. Erin E. Mauney reveals how her pioneering research brings psychedelic medicine into gastroenterology for the first time, potentially transforming treatment for millions suffering from intractable irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

3 Jun 2025

Fathers' teenage diets linked to healthier eating habits in children

While moms have traditionally gotten much of the focus when it comes to children's eating habits, a new study highlights the importance of dads in shaping a child's relationship with food.

1 Jun 2025

Genetic factors influence obesity risk in children exposed to gestational diabetes

Children exposed to gestational diabetes in utero with a specific variation of a common gene are at a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese during childhood, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

30 May 2025

Early teen obesity in boys may affect the health of future generations

A new study suggests that boys who become overweight in their early teens risk damaging the genes of their future children, increasing their chances of developing asthma, obesity and low lung function.

27 May 2025