A new study finds that climate change is increasing sugar consumption in the United States. As temperatures rise, Americans, especially those who are poorer and less educated, are drinking more sugary beverages. That results in more than 100 million pounds of added sugar consumed annually compared to preindustrial times. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that sugar intake increases with temperatures between 54 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Researchers analyzed weather and purchase records from 2004 to 2019. They found that low-income families and people working outdoors consume more sugary drinks. This trend could worsen health inequalities as the climate continues to warm.

A new study shows that the health of U.S. children has deteriorated over the past 17 years, with kids today more likely to experience obesity, chronic diseases and other problems. The research was published Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has brought children's health to the forefront of the national policy conversation. His agency's report in May described kids as undernourished and overmedicated. But outside experts who reviewed the new study say the Trump administration's decision to make cuts to federal health agencies, Medicaid and scientific research are not likely to reverse the trend.

A National Institutes of Health study aims to find out whether ultraprocessed foods lead people to eat more. And, if so, why? Teasing out the answers could shed light on the controversial fare that makes up more than 70% of the U.S. food supply. Ultraprocessed foods are linked to ailments including obesity and diabetes, but it's not clear exactly how. Addressing chronic disease is a key goal of the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda embraced by President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Scientists say such research is difficult, time-consuming — and expensive.

Supplies of high-demand obesity treatments are improving, but that doesn't mean they're easier to get. Many employers and health insurers are scaling back coverage of Wegovy or Zepbound and a key government program, Medicare, doesn't cover the drugs for obesity. Clouding the picture even further, some big employers are adding coverage. But their commitment isn't guaranteed. Treatment prices that can top hundreds of dollars monthly even after discounts make it hard for many to afford these drugs on their own. That makes the life-changing weight-loss that patients seek largely dependent on the coverage they have and how long it lasts.

Obesity is high and holding steady in the U.S. About 4 in 10 Americans have obesity overall and about 1 in 10 have severe obesity. That's according to new government research. The overall rate has not changed significantly in the past decade, even as the rate of severe obesity is increasing. That means it's too soon to know whether new treatments for obesity can ease the epidemic of the chronic disease linked to dozens of health problems. Experts say preventing obesity in the first place is key, starting in early childhood.