Can you be obese and healthy at the same time? A new study from UCLA calls into question the significance of BMI (body mass index) testing in determining health. What does the new research mean?

One in 3 children in the U.S. is overweight or obese. More than 23 million children and teenagers in the U.S are obese or overweight. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. And usually overweight children become overweight adults. Use this month as a time to stop the obesity rate early rather than later!

Now that obesity is recognized by the AMA as a disease, lots of information (and some false claims) are available. Here's help sifting through the facts from medical experts.

Obesity epidemic is a global health concern. A new study finds a link between obesity and 10 common cancers.

Screen-Free Week--the annual event encouraging children, families, schools, and communities to spend time away from electronics and screens--is May 5-11. Preschoolers spend an average of 32 hours per week in front of screens, and that number increases for older children. Too much screen time is linked to poor school performance, childhood obesity, attention problems, and the erosion of creative play. It can also be habit forming. Celebrate the upcoming Screen-Free Week and help break the cycle of dependence on TV, tablets, smart phones, and computer games to promote physical activity

A new study from McGill University in Montreal, Canada indicates a connection between childhood obesity and parenting styles. The study identified two parenting styles - authoritarian vs. authoritative and compared associated obesity rates in children. "Authoritative" parents were defined as demanding but responsive to their children's emotions and issues. "Authoritarian" was defined as demanding, but not responsive (i.e., "tiger mom").

According to Medical News Today, we can now add ovarian cancer to the list of breast, bowel and other cancers caused by obesity.

On Feb 21, the New York Times ran an op-ed article entitled, "Should Obesity Be a Disease?" The article, by two professors at the University of Richmond, argues that classifying obesity as a disease has "important psychological costs."

It is now general knowledge that obesity is associated with a number of different diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, among many others.

Now new studies added more: Hearing loss.

This is the time of year when many people make New Year's resolutions. According to studies, only 8% of dieters will follow through and accomplish their weight loss goal. With 2/3 of Americans overweight, and more than 1/3 obese, dieters are desperate to find ways to shed unwanted (and unhealthy) pounds. And it is true, obesity can lead to heart problems, stroke and cancer. So naturally, in the month of January we see many new "scientific studies," fad diets, new miracle foods and exaggerated/false claims targeting dieters. What is the truth about dieting and obesity?