Being obese or overweight can increase the risk of a host of health problems — diabetes, heart disease and stroke, for instance. Packing too many pounds may also raise the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Parents play a crucial part in keeping their children healthy. For mothers, that influence starts when their baby is in the womb.

Stroke usually affects people later in life. However, new research suggests that it's not just older adults who should be careful.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today updated advice for pregnant women and young children about eating fish.

Exercise is key to losing weight and keeping that weight off, which is healthy for the heart. But even without weight loss, physical activity may provide quite a bit of benefit to the heart.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in high-income countries. It seems that the biggest risk factor for the condition may be a lifestyle habit that can be changed.

Being overweight has a wide range of health implications. One new study looked at how a pregnant women's weight may affect the child they carry.

Previous studies have shown that the amount of weight that women gain during pregnancy can significantly affect the baby's health. And it's possible that a child's health could be affected throughout childhood and beyond.

Some older women who fall are at an increased risk for a broken wrist. A few simple tests may be able to help indicate which women are more prone to this.

Almost one third of women of childbearing age are obese, which may affect the development of the unborn baby as well as the mother's long-term heart health.