Excess maternal weight gain increases birth weight after controlling for genetic factors BOSTON, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Expectant mothers who gain large amounts of weight tend to give birth to heavier infants who are at higher risk for obesity later in life.

Legislators and researchers are pushing for a tax on the nation’s sugary soda drinks in order to fight obesity and bring in additional revenue of about $15 billion each year.

By The Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) - The percentage of American children who are overweight or obese appears to have leveled off after a 25-year increase, according to new figures that offer a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dismal battle."That is a first encouraging finding in what has been unremittingly bad news," said Dr.

New research shows that the percentage of American children who are overweight or obese appears to have leveled off after a 25-year increase but a worrisome 16 percent of young people remain obese, risking serious health problems.

By Nanci Hellmich Finally some good news in the weight-loss struggle: The rate of childhood obesity may be leveling off in the USA after years of skyrocketing growth, new government data show.