You can eat healthier this holiday season by altering recipes and making good food choices, say experts with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Holiday cooks can reduce the sugar, fat or salt content of almost any holiday recipe without a noticeable difference in taste.

It's one of medicine's mantras: If you have high blood pressure, taking steps to lower it will have a dramatic impact on your risk of stroke, heart disease and more. But 70 percent of people with high blood pressure still aren't doing a good enough job controlling it, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.

Study found hi-tech method improved compliance more than paper and pencil. Experts hope that letting kids have their fingers do the texting will increase compliance with the food diaries that are such a critical part of successful dieting.

Traditional risk factors, such as obesity, are just as useful, studies find. Testing for 18 different gene variations associated with type 2 diabetes was no better at predicting a person's risk for the blood sugar disease than a doctor's assessment, researchers report.

Weight-loss procedure may change fertility, nutritional needs, study suggests. Women who get pregnant after having weight-loss surgery have a lower risk of maternal and newborn complications than pregnant women who are obese, according to U.S. researchers who analyzed 75 studies.

They improved ability to live and function when enrolled in tailored interventions. Home-based programs to get elderly cancer survivors to eat better and exercise more may help them improve their ability to live and function, a new study says.

Combined, they produce more potent anti-disease effect in postmenopausal women, study says. Scientists believe they have found out why diet and exercise affect a women's chance of breast cancer after she's past menopause, a new study says.

Suggestions to help prevent regaining lost pounds Maintaining the pounds you've lost through diet and exercise involves watching what you eat, and how much. The Cleveland Clinic offers these suggestions

Trees, parks get inner city kids moving, study finds. Greener neighborhoods, with lots of trees, help inner city kids keep excess pounds at bay, according to a U.S. study.

It may lead to permanent changes in the fetal brain, study says . Eating a high-fat diet during pregnancy causes permanent changes in the fetal brain that can result in overeating and obesity early in life, according to a study with rats.

It's smart for athletes, not so smart for average gym-goer, studies show. Elite athletes are advised to "fill the tank" with an energy bar or sports drink soon after a workout.

Only 12 servings out of hundreds had nutrients that didn't contain it, researchers say. New research suggests that many fast-food meals begin with a single ingredient: corn. Researchers uncovered signs of corn in food items from Wendy's, McDonald's and Burger King.

But too much abdominal fat poses a bigger threat, study finds. Whether you're shaped like an apple or a pear, if you're overweight, you have a higher risk of dying than someone of normal weight, a new European study says.

Researchers point to obesity epidemic in explaining the troubling trend. Three decades of a pronounced reduction in risk factors for heart disease is slowing considerably.

Tests showed their carotid artery walls as thick as that of a middle-aged person. According to research presented Tuesday at the American Heart Association's annual scientific sessions in New Orleans, obese adolescents had arteries more representative of someone three decades older.

Keeping physically active may help to tackle health threats, study says. Despite their large body size, former professional football players aren't at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a study that looked at 201 retired NFL players.

But researchers are working on new therapies to combat the problem. The number of U.S. children allergic to foods such as peanuts, milk and fish is rising rapidly.

Epidemic linked to hypertension, obesity, diabetes, study shows Hospitalization rates for heart failure among older Americans have increased dramatically in the past three decades, an epidemic that represents a mounting burden on the health-care system, a new study has found.

The finding is especially true for blacks, study suggests. Consuming too little potassium may be as big a risk factor for high blood pressure as eating too much sodium, especially for blacks, new research says.

Study shows appetite suppressant fenfluramine may damage cardiac valves years later. One of the "fen/phen" drugs once widely prescribed to help fight obesity has been tied to heart valve damage that develops years after a person has stopped taking it, a new study reports.

Two factors increase risk 8-fold, researchers say. Everyone knows smoking and being obese is not healthy for you, but now a new study shows the odds of dying early are highest among obese smokers.

In study, people put lost pounds back on regardless of the amount of fat they ate. If you've just lost weight and are trying to keep it off, don't rely on diet alone to keep those unwanted pounds at bay. It may not be enough, no matter what kind of "maintenance" diet you follow, researchers say.

It's when blood sugar levels are rising, but disease can still be prevented, CDC says. Too many American adults are unaware of "pre-diabetes" and not enough take action to reduce their risk, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released Thursday.

Eating these foods and reducing intake of high-fat dairy, eggs improve odds against disease. Keep eating whole grains and reduce your consumption of eggs and high-fat dairy food to improve your odds against suffering heart failure, a new long-term study shows.

Having 4 or more of these 11 genotypes triples risk of disease, study funds. Eleven genetic variations believed to be predictors of esophageal cancer have been identified by U.S. researchers.

Seven-year study of supplements found no change in disease risk Taking folic acid or other B vitamin supplements won't lower your risk of cancer, new research shows.

Injections of apelin appear to be similar to insulin, study says.  A hormone produced by fat tissues holds promise for people with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, a new report suggests.

Study finds twice the incidence of 'food insecurity.' Children who live with adult smokers are more likely to be underfed and undernourished, a new study finds.

Obesity and its complications driving the trend, researchers say. Medication use among children across the United States is dramatically increasing as more kids are being treated for diabetes, asthma and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), researchers report.

Finding the right weight-loss program is essential If your child is at an unhealthy, or even dangerous weight, and weight-loss efforts at home aren't successful, you may want to try a professional weight-loss program.

Exercising 30 to 60 minutes a day may offer needed protection, experts say. Obesity can wreck a person's health for many reasons. But for women, too much weight tacks on an additional danger: Studies have linked obesity and breast cancer in a variety of ways.

Findings could produce treatments to reduce cravings, expand calorie burn. An antibody that breaks down and suppresses an appetite stimulant produced by the human body has been discovered.

It doubles the chances of having a heavy baby, study finds. The more weight a woman gains during pregnancy, the more likely she is to have a large baby, posing health risks to both mother and child, a new study finds.

But benefits only apply to normal-weight women, study says. Vigorous activity can reduce the risk of breast cancer by about 30 percent in normal-weight women, according to an 11-year U.S. study of 32,269 postmenopausal women.

Study shows help with diet, tobacco use boosted employees' overall fitness. Workplace environmental interventions designed to reduce employee obesity led to modest health improvements, including weight management, decreased tobacco use and lower blood pressure, say Emory University researchers.

The obesity epidemic is fueling the type 2 disease epidemic, officials say.  The rate of new cases of type 2 diabetes has nearly doubled in the United States in the last decade, with most new cases appearing in southern states, federal officials reported Thursday.

Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease can all cloud symptoms, study says The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) may be delayed in people if they have other medical conditions, a new Canadian study suggests.

Americans more fearful of shark bites than this common, potentially lethal disease, survey shows. While millions of Americans are at risk for developing diabetes, too few perceive the threat it can pose to their health, according to a new survey.

Stick with your diet Losing extra weight is the first step to better health. It's also important to keep those extra pounds from creeping back.

People newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis face twice the risk of a heart attack, and those who do suffer a heart attack tend to have more heart-related complications, new research says. It seems that a condition called diastolic dysfunction, which causes the lower chambers of the heart to become stiff, is the culprit. Diastolic dysfunction impairs the ability of the ventricles to fill with blood and can lead to heart failure, the researchers said.

Study did find connection between salt intake and diabetes incidence. Elevated sodium levels in the blood aren't related to the future risk of high blood pressure, say U.S. researchers who looked at almost 2,200 people.

Some experts say the risks of losing and regaining weight may be overstated. For some frequent dieters, weight loss is a vicious cycle. They're gung-ho in the beginning, and the pounds melt away, but not for long. Once they stray from their diet, all the weight that was lost makes a comeback.

Sugary fare led to leptin resistance in rats that boosted obesity risk, study says. Consuming too much fructose -- a sugar found in foods ranging from cookies to candies and soda -- can block the appetite-controlling hormone leptin from doing its job and increase the risk of obesity, a University of Florida study of rats suggests.

Tesofensine could replace gastric bypass surgery for some patients, researchers say. A new diet drug, tesofensine, produces twice the weight loss of currently available obesity drugs, Danish researchers report.

Availability of cheap foods, larger portions changes dining behavior, Japanese study says. People who eat quickly and until they're full are three times more likely to be overweight than others, a Japanese study says.

Experts offer guidance during hypertension meeting. To protect long-term heart health, children as young as 3 and diabetics should have their blood pressure checked regularly, experts say.

Certain DNA may cause people to eat more to get the same pleasure from food.  A gene could help prod people to overeat and gain excess weight, new research shows.

But regular exercise may condition cells to respond more efficiently, study says. Being fat increases the level of inflammatory activity in the body, while being physically fit decreases it, according to a new U.S. study.

Collagen in some parts of chicken acts like a hypertension medication, study suggests. Chicken soup, which has been dubbed Grandma's penicillin for its purported cold-fighting abilities, may also help to lower high blood pressure, a new study suggests.

Study found their levels were lower than Alzheimer's patients, healthy controls. Parkinson's disease patients are more likely than healthy people or Alzheimer's patients to have vitamin D deficiency, say researchers from the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.

More people being treated for hypertension than ever before, study finds. More Americans than ever are being treated for high blood pressure, say researchers from the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

American Academy of Pediatrics raises daily recommended intake from 200 to 400 IUs.  The leading children's medical organization in the United States on Monday announced that it has doubled the amount of vitamin D recommended for infants, children and adolescents.

Finding suggests need for more careful screening for these patients, researcher says.  Patients coping with metabolic syndrome have a 75 percent higher risk for developing colorectal cancer sometime in their lives, a new study suggests.

But tailored programs could ease fears, overcome self consciousness, study suggests. Obese women report that several mental barriers keep them from exercising to lose weight, according to a new study.

U.S. government suggests weekly workouts can work. In an effort to help harried Americans fit exercise into their hectic lives, new government guidelines released this week recommend slightly more than two hours of physical activity a week to stay fit.

Study with lab animals might one day lead to new weight control approach in people. A fatty acid found in olive oil and other heart-healthy monounsaturated fats wards off hunger pangs, a new study suggests.

Snacks, drinks sold not helping fight against childhood obesity, researcher notes. Three-quarters of middle schools have vending machines where snacks and sugared drinks are sold, a new study finds.

Heavy men with high output of the hormone had quadruple the death risk, study found. Men who are overweight and who have high insulin levels when they are diagnosed with prostate cancer may be more likely to die from the disease, research shows.

Girls who read story with subtle message about health realized some benefits, study says. Could a novel with an embedded message about good health help overweight girls develop the motivation to lose a few pounds? New research suggests that it just might, but the results weren't dramatic.

Most effective programs include techniques to improve diet, exercise habits, study says. Behavioral management weight loss programs can help obese school-age children and teens lose weight or prevent further weight gain, according to a new report.

Inhaled steroids were 40% less effective than they were in lean patients, study finds. The inhaled steroids that are often used to treat asthma don't work as well in the overweight or obese, new research shows.

More fat on arms, legs tied to more inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, study says How fat and muscle are distributed throughout the body is one of the factors that contribute to limited mobility of people rheumatoid arthritis, a new study finds.

Restricted eaters gained too much or too little, study finds. Women with a history of dieting or other practices that restrict their eating habits may be more vulnerable to gaining too much or too little weight during pregnancy, a new study finds.

But lead researcher says it's too soon to give up on glucosamine. The popular supplements glucosamine and chondroitin are no better than a placebo at preventing cartilage loss in knees of people with the form of arthritis caused by wear and tear, a new study found.

Variant is tied to a fat hormone, adiponectin, study finds. Researchers have uncovered a genetic link between obesity and the risk for colon cancer. The discovery could lead to greater accuracy in predicting who is at risk for the disease, experts say.

But weight loss can ease the pain, study shows. The more overweight children and teens are, the more numerous and severe their headaches, according to a U.S. study.

 The vast majority of people at risk of stroke because the main artery to the brain is partially blocked but have no symptoms are better off if they don't have surgery to restore blood flow, a new study contends.

Gradual weight loss over 6 months showed no apparent harm, study finds. Overweight adults who eat a low-calorie diet that includes proper nutrition can lose weight and fat without experiencing significant bone loss, a new study says.

People with elevated readings should restrict their salt intake, experts say. Too much salt can contribute to resistant high blood pressure despite taking several medications to control it, University of Alabama researchers report.

Mouse study uncovers new class of hormones that could reverse obesity-related disease. Scientists believe they have discovered a new class of hormones in mice, one of which may help stop or reverse obesity-related conditions such as insulin resistance and fatty liver, a new study says.

Intestinal liner leads to significant drops in blood sugar levels, researcher says, Early trials of a new implantable, and removable, intestinal liner have shown promise as a noninvasive means to promote blood sugar control and weight loss.

Good living can reduce the risk of dying from heart disease and cancer, study shows. Women who don't smoke, maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthful diet, and get regular physical exercise significantly reduce their risk of dying from any cause, and particularly from heart disease and cancer, Harvard University researchers report.

Adjustments to diet, exercise increased telomerase levels 29%, cut 'bad' cholesterol. Major lifestyle changes can help improve levels of an enzyme called telomerase that controls cell aging, say California researchers.

Minimally invasive procedure in pigs produced effect similar to bariatric surgery.  A minimally invasive procedure successfully suppressed levels of the "hunger hormone" ghrelin in pigs and led to appetite reduction results similar to bariatric surgery, say Johns Hopkins researchers.

Study finds change in med use, improper stomach pouch size are likely causes. People with diabetes and those with larger stomach pouches are less likely than others to have good weight loss after gastric bypass surgery, according to University of California, San Francisco, researchers.

Studies show it works but cost, long-term effectiveness unclear. International health experts will convene in New York City next week to discuss an unconventional and arguably radical approach to treating people with type 2 diabetes: weight-loss surgery.

Those who eat this way reduce risk of many illnesses by almost 10%, study says. People who eat a strict Mediterranean diet are at less risk of developing heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, Italian researchers report.

Study finds only limited gains from no-sale policies. Banning soft drinks in elementary schools may not make a huge difference in kids' overall consumption of the beverages, a new study suggests.

They view intimidation as even greater problem than obesity itself, study says. Bullying is the top "health" concern among parents with overweight and obese children, according to a new report.

Suggestions to limit how much you eat Although most people realize when they've had enough and should stop eating, it's still often difficult to maintain portion control.

Effect of mutation blunted in people with above-average activity scores, study finds. Physical activity may reduce the risk of obesity in people with a genetic mutation that predisposes them to high body-mass index (BMI), says a U.S. study.

Study finds risk is greatest for those overweight or obese at age 45. Almost half of all American adults will develop osteoarthritis of the knee by age 85, and their odds increase if they are obese in middle age, a new study says.

Sufferers more likely to be hospitalized, have lower quality of life, study finds. New research shows that obese people who have asthma are nearly five times more likely to be hospitalized for the problem and to have lower quality of life and worse control of the disease than those with asthma who are normal weight.

But parents shouldn't worry, researchers say. Children who gain weight rapidly in the first five months of life and from ages 2 to 5 have higher blood pressure as adults, a new study finds.

Anxiety may prompt the children to eat unhealthy foods, study suggests. Younger children from low-income families who pick up the stress of their anxious mothers often respond by developing poor eating habits that raise their risk of becoming overweight, a new study says.

Mouse study shows genetic link to signals telling body when it's full, safe to mate. A new study has found a "master switch" in the brain of mice that helps control both body weight and fertility.

Finding could lead to new drugs in fight against obesity, study says. A chemical produced in the brain may play a role in regulating appetite and the likelihood of becoming obese, according to a new study.

More likely to make insulin-resistant proteins, study says. Fat cells in obese people are "sick" compared to those in lean people, a new study shows.

Obese patients with GERD may choose gastric bypass instead, experts say. Gastric banding, a surgical procedure designed to combat obesity, appears to boost the risk for developing or exacerbating symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Stimulation of brown globules helps burn calories, hints of new ways to treat obesity. A protein that induces bone growth also helps promote development of "good" brown fat that helps burn calories and plays a role in fighting obesity, says researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.