Schools help fight childhood obesity

Two Eastern Cape schools are leading the way in beating childhood obesity by offering kids better playgrounds - and they have won R10,000 each for their efforts. Read more >>

Progress in polio fight

Campaigns to eradicate the crippling polio virus have shown remarkable progress in 2010, according to health officials. US newspaper The New York Times reported on Monday (12 April 2010) that local and international health officials in Nigeria say only two children have been paralysed by wild polio virus in the country so far this year, compared to 123 during the same period in 2009. Read more >>

Special award for Health Minister

PRETORIA: In recognition of his contribution to healthcare and medical education, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will on Monday receive a special award from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Read more >>

Maternal death rates fall

Global maternal death rates have fallen by an average of 35 percent over the past 30 years, according to researchers. New findings published on Monday (12 April 2010) in the Lancet medical journal contradict the latest research by the World Health Organisation. Read more >>

More fish, nuts, fruit, less risk of Alzheimer's

WASHINGTON: Certain food combinations, including fish, fruit, and nuts, are linked to a reduced risk of contracting the brain-wasting disease Alzheimer's, according to a study released on Monday, 12 April 2010. Read more >>

Few SA moms worried about overweight kids

Half of South Africa's children are overweight but only a fraction of their mothers are concerned. An online survey by Nestle South Africa to probe South African families' breakfast habits, has revealed some surprising results. Astoundingly, only 6% of mothers believed their children were overweight. Read more >>

Going the vegetarian route?

[Lauren Pietersen] Many people think that being a vegetarian means healthier eating, but does it really? Different eating patterns are found to exist amongst vegetarians, where not only meat is excluded. A vegetarian excludes any meat, poultry or seafood; a lacto-ovo vegetarian includes dairy products and eggs; a lacto-vegetarian only includes dairy products and a vegan includes solely grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds. Read more >>

To snack or not to snack?

[Lauren Pietersen] Nothing is worse than that burning feeling of hunger in your stomach, especially when you are trying to lose weight. The good news is that snacking between meals can be of great benefit to not only stabilise your blood glucose (sugar) and energy levels, but also to prevent you from overeating at main meals. Read more >>

For goodness sake, go salt-free

The typical modern, Western diet is rich in highly salted foodstuffs which worsens high blood pressure. Tshidi Mametsa reports on ways to cut down on the salt content in our diet. Most families have someone who suffers from high blood pressure but who still consume food with a high salt content which worsens high blood pressure. Read more >>

TB management training for health workers

PRETORIA: Three thousand health workers countrywide will be trained in tuberculosis (TB) management to help strengthen TB control. Read more >>