EurekAlert! News by Subject: Medicine & Health - News by Subject: Medicine & Health

Medicine & Health

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 2-Jan-2026 09:11 ET (2-Jan-2026 14:11 GMT/UTC)

Eating alone linked to poorer nutrition in older adults

Flinders University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Older adults who regularly eat meals alone are more likely to experience poorer nutrition and health outcomes than those who share meals with others, new research by Flinders University has found. Looking at 20 international studies, the research found consistent associations between eating alone and poorer diet quality, reduced intake of key food groups such as fruit, vegetables and meat, and an increased risk of weight loss and frailty.

Journal: Appetite

Parental monitoring is linked to fewer teen conduct problems despite genetic risk

Rutgers University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Parents may have more influence than they realize when it comes to shaping their children’s behavior, especially for those at higher genetic risk for conduct problems, according to Rutgers Health-led research.

The study, published in Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, found that consistent parental monitoring – meaning knowing where children are, who they’re with, and what they’re doing – can help offset genetic risk for developing behavior problems during adolescence.

Journal: Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Funder: NIH/National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse, European Research Council Consolidator Grant

Significant interest in vegan pet diets revealed by largest surveys to date

Griffith University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Studies explore how dog and cat guardians perceive more sustainable pet food options.

Health impacts of eating disorders complex and long-lasting

BMJ Group
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The health impacts of eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating, are not only complex, affecting many different organ systems, but long-lasting, finds a large tracking study, published in the open access journal BMJ Medicine.

Journal: BMJ Medicine
Funder: National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration

The Lancet: Experts warn global rise in ultra-processed foods poses major public health threat; call for worldwide policy reform

The Lancet
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The increase of UPFs in diets worldwide presents an urgent challenge to health that demands coordinated policies and advocacy action to address, says a new three paper Series authored by 43 global experts and published in The Lancet. The Series exposes the tactics UPF companies use to drive consumption and prevent effective policy. It outlines a roadmap for change towards impactful government regulation, community mobilisation, and accessible and affordable healthier diets.

Journal: The Lancet
Funder: Bloomberg Philanthropies

Digital medicine transforms hypertension care, study shows

Ochsner Health System

The findings position the Ochsner Digital Medicine program as a proven, scalable solution for health systems, employers, and payors.

Journal: Journal of General Internal Medicine

Just cutting down doesn’t cut it when it comes to the impact of smoking on your health

American Heart Association
Business Announcement

New research on cigarette smoking uncovers the dangers of low-level smoking, how long it takes to get back to baseline health after quitting