TUESDAY, May 8 (HealthDay News) — Women who use an intrauterine device (IUD) as birth control may not have to worry about gaining weight after the device is implanted, new research suggests.

TUESDAY, May 8 (HealthDay News) — The United States’ progress against the battle of the bulge has been slow, but certain strategies could speed obesity prevention efforts, a new report concludes.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – America’s obesity epidemic is so deeply rooted that it will take dramatic and systemic measures – from overhauling farm policies and zoning laws to, possibly, introducing a soda tax – to fix it, the influential Institute of Medicine said on Tuesday. In an ambitious 478-page report, the IOM refutes the idea that obesity is largely the result of a lack of willpower on the part of individuals. Instead, it embraces policy proposals that have met with stiff resistance from the food industry and lawmakers, arguing that multiple strategies will be needed to make the U.S. …

SUNDAY, May 6 (HealthDay News) — Scientists who found a way to make white fat behave more like brown fat say their discovery could lead to new obesity treatments.

FRIDAY, May 4 (HealthDay News) — A new study suggests that severe weight gain might raise the risk for rheumatoid arthritis — a painful, chronic ailment — especially among obese women.

Sean Guard watched other people exercising from the window of his car or his office in City Hall, as the pounds piled on slowly, a little bit at a time. The Washougal mayor left his city’s bike trails and foot paths to those more inclined to exercise while he made short work of chicken-fried steaks.

WEDNESDAY, May 2 (HealthDay News) — A large new study is the first to show a direct link between a high body-mass index and the risk of developing heart disease, British and Danish researchers say.

Sean Guard watched other people exercising from the window of his car or his office in City Hall, as the pounds piled on slowly, a little bit at a time. The Washougal mayor left his city’s bike trails and foot paths to those more inclined to exercise while he made short work of chicken-fried steaks.

Weight Watchers International Inc.’s first-quarter profit missed expectations as the weight loss company increased its marketing spending. The news sent its shares plunging in after-hours trading Wednesday.

TUESDAY, May 1 (HealthDay News) — Moderate weight loss reduces levels of inflammation that have been tied to certain cancers, at least in postmenopausal women, a new study suggests.

and a British doctors’ group says that’s sending the wrong message in a country with ballooning obesity.

SUNDAY, April 29 (HealthDay News) — Kids who recognize fast-food advertisements on TV are more likely to be overweight, and those familiar with TV ads for alcoholic beverages are more likely to drink, according to two new studies from Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

Hungarian diabetics who fail to stick to their diet will be deprived of more modern treatments from July, under a government decree published Monday aimed at cutting health spending.

Swiss food and drink giant Nestle SA announced a deal Monday to acquire Pfizer Inc.’s infant-nutrition business for $11.85 billion in a bid to boost sales in emerging markets.

Swiss food giant Nestle said on Monday it has agreed to pay $11.85 billion to acquire infant food maker Pfizer Nutrition, which generates about 85 percent of its sales from emerging markets.

ZURICH (Reuters) – Swiss food group Nestle is to buy U.S. drugmaker Pfizer’s nutrition business for $11.85 billion, beating out French rival Danone as both battle to gain preeminence in the lucrative baby food market. Nestle, the world’s biggest packaged food company, was already seen as a favored bidder due largely to its deep pockets, and is paying for the acquisition in cash. The Vevey-based firm expects the acquisition will generate sales of $2.4 billion this year and boost margins, thanks to its large exposure to emerging markets, where the population is growing quickly. …

(Reuters) – Starbucks Corp said on its blog on Thursday that it will stop using a natural, government-approved coloring made from crushed beetles in its strawberry flavoring by late June, bowing to pressure from some vegetarian customers. Starbucks has been using the extract in its strawberry frappuccinos and smoothies, as well as some deserts like raspberry swirl cake. “After a thorough, yet fastidious, evaluation, I am pleased to report that we are reformulating the affected products to assure the highest quality possible,” Cliff Burrows, president of Starbucks U.S., wrote in a blog post. …

MONDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) — A bariatric surgical procedure is more likely than medicine to improve or even reverse type 2 diabetes in very obese patients, a new small study indicates.

MONDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) — Little girls from troubled homes are more likely to be obese at age 5 than girls from happier ones, new research shows.