By Deborah Kotz, Globe Staff

In order to reverse the American obesity epidemic that has left 1 out of 3 children and 2 out of 3 adults overweight, the nation needs to pool its resources to implement a number of key steps, according to 462-page report issued Tuesday by the influential Institute of Medicine.

While the report has earnest goals, the suggested measures -- exercise more, eat healthier, get schools involved in obesity prevention -- have been underscored and proclaimed by others time and time again.

By Deborah Kotz, Globe Staff

Lyme disease cases could reach record numbers this year due to unseasonably warm temperatures this winter and spring, which is causing the deer ticks that carry the disease to breed sooner. What to do to protect yourself and how to recognize the symptoms.

By Deborah Kotz, Globe Staff

It’s tough to tease out just how much of a role genes play in determining our body weight, but University of Washington researchers gave it their best shot, comparing the body mass index and sleep habits of twins. They found that genes play far less of a role in determining BMI when people get more than seven hours of sleep per night.