Nutrition & Weight topics
Healthy eating habits and weight control
A good diet is a crucial part of staying healthy and maintaining a suitable body weight. Learn more about healthy eating and drinking.
Achieving an adequate diet
A constant daily intake of nutritious foods is necessary for good health. Tiredness, irritability and excessively dry skin may be due to an inadequate diet.
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
Your ideal weight depends on how tall you are, your build, and whether you are a man or a woman.
Animation: Effects of obesity
Obesity can compromise your health in many ways. View our animation to find out how.
Arthritis and nutrition
Researchers have been exploring potential links between diet and arthritis for many decades. However, there is little evidence to indicate that taking expensive food supplements or eating elaborate diets are any better than eating well-balanced meals.
BMI underestimating obesity
The use of body mass index (BMI) may be grossly underestimating the obesity epidemic, according to American researchers.
Bread in the diet
Bread is inexpensive, low in fat and healthy. It is a valuable source of protein, carbohydrate, dietary fibre and many vitamins and minerals.
Cheese in the diet
Cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals and is a good way to fulfil one of the 2-3 recommended daily serves of dairy.
Childhood obesity
With childhood obesity increasing, find out about its health risks and how you can help your child maintain a healthy weight.
Cholesterol: check your levels
It is sensible for all adults to have their cholesterol and triglyceride levels measured at least once.
Chronic disease risk factors rife among Aussies
Most Australians have at least one preventable risk factor for chronic disease, such as type 2 diabetes and depression, in their lifestyle.
Dehydration
Dehydration is the excessive loss of body fluids. Our bodies need a certain amount of fluid daily to maintain all the body systems with the minimum considered to be 4 glasses of fluid per day (the ideal amount is considered to be 8 glasses).
Diabetes control no better with high protein diet
High-protein diets are no more effective than high-carbohydrate diets for improving blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes, research shows.
Diabetes risk linked to recent weight change
Bariatric (weight loss) surgery dramatically reduces the risk of obese people developing diabetes or needing diabetes medicines, new research shows.
Diabetes type 2 risk increased by red meat
Eating red meat, particularly processed meat, leads to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, researchers warn.
Diabetes type 2 risk lowered by dairy
Eating plenty of dairy foods as a teenager has been linked with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in middle-age.
Diabetes: diet and strength training aid weight loss
Combining an energy-restricted, high-protein diet with strength training boosts weight loss and improves body composition in people with type 2 diabetes.
Dietary guidelines for healthy eating
Here are some quick tips to help you follow the NHMRC dietary guidelines to give yourself a healthy and nutritious diet.
Diverticular disease: vegetarians protected
Both a vegetarian diet and a high-fibre diet may prevent the development of diverticular disease, a study suggests.
Drinkers misunderstand risk of low-carb/lower-alcohol drinks
The false belief that low-carb beer and lower-calorie, lower-alcohol wine are 'healthier' may be leading people to drink more, experts warn.
Drinking water
Along with oxygen, water is one of the 2 most essential materials for human life.
Eating disorders may persist in adulthood
Teenagers with abnormal eating behaviours such as dieting and binge eating are at risk of continued problems in adulthood, a study shows.
Eating for a healthy heart
You can make a huge difference to the health of your heart, and your general well-being, just by making a few simple changes to your diet.
Exercise and fat intake
Everyone needs some fat in their diet, as your body always prefers to use the most available fuels. If you eliminate all fats, your body will worry about the lack of dietary fats.
Exercise eases chronic pain in obesity
People with obesity have a 20 per cent increased risk of chronic pain in the low back and neck/shoulders, but regular exercise can help counter this, researchers have found.
Exercise to burn fat
Find out about which types of exercise are best to burn fat and help you lose weight.
Fatty acids in the diet
Fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6 may have an important role in preventing heart disease.
Food choices influenced by celebrity endorsement
Celebrity endorsements and selective nutrient claims on packaging increase the chance of parents buying energy-dense, nutrient-poor food for their children, a survey shows.
Food in winter
With the colder, generally wetter, days of winter there is a tendency to stay indoors where it is warm, to become less active and to eat more.
Food labels: a guide to reading nutrition labels
Knowing your way around a food label can help you to make more informed choices about the food that you eat.
Fruit and lung function
Eating fresh fruit on a regular basis has been shown to improve lung function in children.
Gastric banding (lap band) surgery for weight loss
Gastric banding (also called lap banding) is a surgical treatment for obesity that is becoming increasingly popular in Australia.
Glycaemic index
The glycaemic index (GI) of a food tells you how quickly your blood glucose level will rise after eating that food.
Go Red for Women
Go Red for Women is the Heart Foundation's campaign to raise awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of Australian women.
Healthy eating can be easy and enjoyable
Healthy eating should be easy and enjoyable. You could even become passionate about it!
Healthy eating: eat like a peasant, not a king
The benefits of a medieval peasant diet - fresh vegetables, mixed grains, and little meat, fat, salt or sugar – are being taught in UK schools.
Heart attack gene modified by diet
People with a high-risk gene for heart disease can reduce their risk through a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, a study suggests.
Latin Seed weight loss product may be lethal
Weight loss product The Latin Seed has been recalled from sale in Australia after being found to contain potentially lethal yellow oleander seeds.
Mediterranean diet lowers risk of metabolic syndrome
The Mediterranean diet (rich in olive oil, fish, fruits, vegetables and wholegrains) can help protect against metabolic syndrome, a study suggests.
Mediterranean diet preferred for diabetes prevention
Recommending healthy Mediterranean-style diets should be the preferred advice for those at risk of diabetes, experts claim.
Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a condition that increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Lifestyle changes are the first step in its treatment.
Metabolic syndrome: one man's story
One man`s experience of having metabolic syndrome — also known as syndrome X.
Multiple sclerosis risk doubles for obese young adults
Obese adolescents may have a greater risk of future multiple sclerosis (MS), US researchers have found.
National Nutrition Week
Nutrition Week aims to promote optimal health by encouraging food variety and physical activity.
New Year's health resolutions
New Year is a good time to think about making lifestyle changes that will benefit our health: quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, exercise and reduce alcohol intake.
New Year's resolutions: making them work
Here are some expert tips to help you make your New Year's resolutions work.
Nutritional supplements for healthy living
Many pharmacies specialise in nutritional supplements, including specific vitamins for women, men and older people.
Nuts in a healthy diet
Nuts are high in protein, carbohydrates and fibre as well as containing many vitamins and minerals.
Obesity crisis linked to fossil fuel use
The principal cause of both obesity and global warming is overuse of fossil fuels, UK experts say, and a population's average BMI (body mass index) increases linearly with increased petrol use.
Obesity medicine orlistat linked to liver toxicity
Anti-obesity medicine orlistat (Xenical) has been linked to severe liver injury, including a death, European Medicines Agency says.
Obesity reduced in kids who walk to school
Walking to school is associated with significantly reduced levels of overweight and obesity, Australian research has confirmed.
Obesity: Australia ranked in global top three
Obesity levels in Australia are still rising, and Australians had the third largest increases in BMI (body mass index) in the world over the past two decades, a global study shows.
Obesity: Q and A
Find out about obesity, and steps you can take if you think you are carrying too much body fat.
Overweight kids and screen time
Limiting the amount of time your child spends in front of the TV or a computer screen may help avoid them becoming overweight.
Overweight kids lack movement skills for exercise
Overweight and obese children often lack the basic movement skills needed for sport and exercise, such as kicking, sliding and hopping, an Australian study shows.
Overweight linked to longer life in older adults
Being overweight in older age does not pose a higher risk of mortality, Australian researchers have found.
Red meat consumption raises risk of death
Red meat consumption has been linked to increased risk of death, with risk reduced by 19 per cent by replacing one red meat meal per day with serving of nuts.
Salt and blood pressure link re-confirmed
A review that concluded cutting down on salt has no clear benefit in reducing heart attacks and strokes was seriously flawed, experts say.
Salt in food: experts call for action
Australian experts say there is now compelling evidence for a Government-led push to change food industry standards for maximum salt targets in foods.
Salt levels in Australian bread still too high
Sodium (salt) content of Australian bread remained unchanged between 2007 and 2010 despite targets set to reduce salt, experts say.
Salt levels in fast food vary by country
Fast food salt content varies from country to country, casting doubt over fast food companies’ claims that reduction of salt is technically difficult.
Saturated fat
Find out more about saturated fat, why it can be bad for your health, and how to avoid it.
Soft drink consumption alarming in Aussie kids
Eighty per cent of Australian children are regularly consuming carbonated soft drinks and other sugar-laden beverages, and they mostly do it at home, study shows.
St Nirvana herbal slimming capsules safety risk
St Nirvana slimming capsules, labelled 100 per cent herbal, contain sibutramine and phenolphthalein - medicines withdrawn in Australia because of safety concerns - the TGA warns.
Sugary drinks boost heart risks even in healthy people
Sugary soft drinks, even in low to moderate quantities, have a detrimental effect on heart and blood vessel health and raise fasting blood glucose levels and blood C-reactive protein levels.
Takeaway food
In the average household, 8 per cent of the food budget is spent on takeaway food. And the trend could be increasing.
Vegetarian diet
Many people are choosing to be vegetarians, but worry if their diet is adequate.
Water advice to drink 8 glasses a day a myth
Advice to drink 6-8 glasses of water per day even when not thirsty has no scientific basis and could cause harm, experts claim.
Weight control with lifestyle changes
Read about how you can maintain a healthy weight by making some simple lifestyle changes, and reduce your risk of long-term health problems.
Weight loss advice to eat big breakfast questioned
Weight loss advice to eat a substantial breakfast to reduce calorie intake during the day is flawed, researchers propose.
Weight loss diets compared in Diogenes study
The optimum balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates for a weight loss diet, has been found by the multinational Diogenes study in Europe.
Weight loss medications
If you are having difficulty losing weight through diet and exercise, there are medicines that may help.
Weight loss undone by appetite hormones
Weight regain after dieting may be due to hormone changes that stimulate appetite and can persist for a year after weight loss, a study suggests.
Weight loss: leading chains serve 'irresponsible' advice
Leading Australian weight loss chains dish out inconsistent and irresponsible advice, Choice investigation finds.
Weight maintenance tips from myDr members
Tips for maintaining a healthy weight from myDr users.
Weight: why is a healthy weight important?
Reducing weight to a healthy weight range reduces your risk of health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, heartburn or gallstones.
Whole grains cut bowel cancer risk
Whole grains and cereal fibre give the greatest effect in reducing bowel cancer, a study shows.
A constant daily intake of nutritious foods is necessary for good health. Tiredness, irritability and excessively dry skin may be due to an inadequate diet.
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
Your ideal weight depends on how tall you are, your build, and whether you are a man or a woman.
Animation: Effects of obesity
Obesity can compromise your health in many ways. View our animation to find out how.
Arthritis and nutrition
Researchers have been exploring potential links between diet and arthritis for many decades. However, there is little evidence to indicate that taking expensive food supplements or eating elaborate diets are any better than eating well-balanced meals.
BMI underestimating obesity
The use of body mass index (BMI) may be grossly underestimating the obesity epidemic, according to American researchers.
Bread in the diet
Bread is inexpensive, low in fat and healthy. It is a valuable source of protein, carbohydrate, dietary fibre and many vitamins and minerals.
Cheese in the diet
Cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals and is a good way to fulfil one of the 2-3 recommended daily serves of dairy.
Childhood obesity
With childhood obesity increasing, find out about its health risks and how you can help your child maintain a healthy weight.
Cholesterol: check your levels
It is sensible for all adults to have their cholesterol and triglyceride levels measured at least once.
Chronic disease risk factors rife among Aussies
Most Australians have at least one preventable risk factor for chronic disease, such as type 2 diabetes and depression, in their lifestyle.
Dehydration
Dehydration is the excessive loss of body fluids. Our bodies need a certain amount of fluid daily to maintain all the body systems with the minimum considered to be 4 glasses of fluid per day (the ideal amount is considered to be 8 glasses).
Diabetes control no better with high protein diet
High-protein diets are no more effective than high-carbohydrate diets for improving blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes, research shows.
Diabetes risk linked to recent weight change
Bariatric (weight loss) surgery dramatically reduces the risk of obese people developing diabetes or needing diabetes medicines, new research shows.
Diabetes type 2 risk increased by red meat
Eating red meat, particularly processed meat, leads to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, researchers warn.
Diabetes type 2 risk lowered by dairy
Eating plenty of dairy foods as a teenager has been linked with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in middle-age.
Diabetes: diet and strength training aid weight loss
Combining an energy-restricted, high-protein diet with strength training boosts weight loss and improves body composition in people with type 2 diabetes.
Dietary guidelines for healthy eating
Here are some quick tips to help you follow the NHMRC dietary guidelines to give yourself a healthy and nutritious diet.
Diverticular disease: vegetarians protected
Both a vegetarian diet and a high-fibre diet may prevent the development of diverticular disease, a study suggests.
Drinkers misunderstand risk of low-carb/lower-alcohol drinks
The false belief that low-carb beer and lower-calorie, lower-alcohol wine are 'healthier' may be leading people to drink more, experts warn.
Drinking water
Along with oxygen, water is one of the 2 most essential materials for human life.
Eating disorders may persist in adulthood
Teenagers with abnormal eating behaviours such as dieting and binge eating are at risk of continued problems in adulthood, a study shows.
Eating for a healthy heart
You can make a huge difference to the health of your heart, and your general well-being, just by making a few simple changes to your diet.
Exercise and fat intake
Everyone needs some fat in their diet, as your body always prefers to use the most available fuels. If you eliminate all fats, your body will worry about the lack of dietary fats.
Exercise eases chronic pain in obesity
People with obesity have a 20 per cent increased risk of chronic pain in the low back and neck/shoulders, but regular exercise can help counter this, researchers have found.
Exercise to burn fat
Find out about which types of exercise are best to burn fat and help you lose weight.
Fatty acids in the diet
Fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6 may have an important role in preventing heart disease.
Food choices influenced by celebrity endorsement
Celebrity endorsements and selective nutrient claims on packaging increase the chance of parents buying energy-dense, nutrient-poor food for their children, a survey shows.
Food in winter
With the colder, generally wetter, days of winter there is a tendency to stay indoors where it is warm, to become less active and to eat more.
Food labels: a guide to reading nutrition labels
Knowing your way around a food label can help you to make more informed choices about the food that you eat.
Fruit and lung function
Eating fresh fruit on a regular basis has been shown to improve lung function in children.
Gastric banding (lap band) surgery for weight loss
Gastric banding (also called lap banding) is a surgical treatment for obesity that is becoming increasingly popular in Australia.
Glycaemic index
The glycaemic index (GI) of a food tells you how quickly your blood glucose level will rise after eating that food.
Go Red for Women
Go Red for Women is the Heart Foundation's campaign to raise awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of Australian women.
Healthy eating can be easy and enjoyable
Healthy eating should be easy and enjoyable. You could even become passionate about it!
Healthy eating: eat like a peasant, not a king
The benefits of a medieval peasant diet - fresh vegetables, mixed grains, and little meat, fat, salt or sugar – are being taught in UK schools.
Heart attack gene modified by diet
People with a high-risk gene for heart disease can reduce their risk through a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, a study suggests.
Latin Seed weight loss product may be lethal
Weight loss product The Latin Seed has been recalled from sale in Australia after being found to contain potentially lethal yellow oleander seeds.
Mediterranean diet lowers risk of metabolic syndrome
The Mediterranean diet (rich in olive oil, fish, fruits, vegetables and wholegrains) can help protect against metabolic syndrome, a study suggests.
Mediterranean diet preferred for diabetes prevention
Recommending healthy Mediterranean-style diets should be the preferred advice for those at risk of diabetes, experts claim.
Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a condition that increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Lifestyle changes are the first step in its treatment.
Metabolic syndrome: one man's story
One man`s experience of having metabolic syndrome — also known as syndrome X.
Multiple sclerosis risk doubles for obese young adults
Obese adolescents may have a greater risk of future multiple sclerosis (MS), US researchers have found.
National Nutrition Week
Nutrition Week aims to promote optimal health by encouraging food variety and physical activity.
New Year's health resolutions
New Year is a good time to think about making lifestyle changes that will benefit our health: quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, exercise and reduce alcohol intake.
New Year's resolutions: making them work
Here are some expert tips to help you make your New Year's resolutions work.
Nutritional supplements for healthy living
Many pharmacies specialise in nutritional supplements, including specific vitamins for women, men and older people.
Nuts in a healthy diet
Nuts are high in protein, carbohydrates and fibre as well as containing many vitamins and minerals.
Obesity crisis linked to fossil fuel use
The principal cause of both obesity and global warming is overuse of fossil fuels, UK experts say, and a population's average BMI (body mass index) increases linearly with increased petrol use.
Obesity medicine orlistat linked to liver toxicity
Anti-obesity medicine orlistat (Xenical) has been linked to severe liver injury, including a death, European Medicines Agency says.
Obesity reduced in kids who walk to school
Walking to school is associated with significantly reduced levels of overweight and obesity, Australian research has confirmed.
Obesity: Australia ranked in global top three
Obesity levels in Australia are still rising, and Australians had the third largest increases in BMI (body mass index) in the world over the past two decades, a global study shows.
Obesity: Q and A
Find out about obesity, and steps you can take if you think you are carrying too much body fat.
Overweight kids and screen time
Limiting the amount of time your child spends in front of the TV or a computer screen may help avoid them becoming overweight.
Overweight kids lack movement skills for exercise
Overweight and obese children often lack the basic movement skills needed for sport and exercise, such as kicking, sliding and hopping, an Australian study shows.
Overweight linked to longer life in older adults
Being overweight in older age does not pose a higher risk of mortality, Australian researchers have found.
Red meat consumption raises risk of death
Red meat consumption has been linked to increased risk of death, with risk reduced by 19 per cent by replacing one red meat meal per day with serving of nuts.
Salt and blood pressure link re-confirmed
A review that concluded cutting down on salt has no clear benefit in reducing heart attacks and strokes was seriously flawed, experts say.
Salt in food: experts call for action
Australian experts say there is now compelling evidence for a Government-led push to change food industry standards for maximum salt targets in foods.
Salt levels in Australian bread still too high
Sodium (salt) content of Australian bread remained unchanged between 2007 and 2010 despite targets set to reduce salt, experts say.
Salt levels in fast food vary by country
Fast food salt content varies from country to country, casting doubt over fast food companies’ claims that reduction of salt is technically difficult.
Saturated fat
Find out more about saturated fat, why it can be bad for your health, and how to avoid it.
Soft drink consumption alarming in Aussie kids
Eighty per cent of Australian children are regularly consuming carbonated soft drinks and other sugar-laden beverages, and they mostly do it at home, study shows.
St Nirvana herbal slimming capsules safety risk
St Nirvana slimming capsules, labelled 100 per cent herbal, contain sibutramine and phenolphthalein - medicines withdrawn in Australia because of safety concerns - the TGA warns.
Sugary drinks boost heart risks even in healthy people
Sugary soft drinks, even in low to moderate quantities, have a detrimental effect on heart and blood vessel health and raise fasting blood glucose levels and blood C-reactive protein levels.
Takeaway food
In the average household, 8 per cent of the food budget is spent on takeaway food. And the trend could be increasing.
Vegetarian diet
Many people are choosing to be vegetarians, but worry if their diet is adequate.
Water advice to drink 8 glasses a day a myth
Advice to drink 6-8 glasses of water per day even when not thirsty has no scientific basis and could cause harm, experts claim.
Weight control with lifestyle changes
Read about how you can maintain a healthy weight by making some simple lifestyle changes, and reduce your risk of long-term health problems.
Weight loss advice to eat big breakfast questioned
Weight loss advice to eat a substantial breakfast to reduce calorie intake during the day is flawed, researchers propose.
Weight loss diets compared in Diogenes study
The optimum balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates for a weight loss diet, has been found by the multinational Diogenes study in Europe.
Weight loss medications
If you are having difficulty losing weight through diet and exercise, there are medicines that may help.
Weight loss undone by appetite hormones
Weight regain after dieting may be due to hormone changes that stimulate appetite and can persist for a year after weight loss, a study suggests.
Weight loss: leading chains serve 'irresponsible' advice
Leading Australian weight loss chains dish out inconsistent and irresponsible advice, Choice investigation finds.
Weight maintenance tips from myDr members
Tips for maintaining a healthy weight from myDr users.
Weight: why is a healthy weight important?
Reducing weight to a healthy weight range reduces your risk of health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, heartburn or gallstones.
Whole grains cut bowel cancer risk
Whole grains and cereal fibre give the greatest effect in reducing bowel cancer, a study shows.
