Unlike her sister Serena, who is unbeaten on clay this year and looks as formidable as ever, Venus Williams does not expect to win the French Open. Never in her long career, however, has a fortnight at Roland Garros meant more to the 31-year-old American, whose results here could determine whether she reaches what could be the last great goal of her tennis life.

Babies born by Caesarean section are twice as likely to be obese in childhood, researchers claim.

Study finds losing weight benefits mother and child, overturning decades of advice

London hospital says treatment is necessary to fight epidemic among children

Children should be taught how to grow and cook their own food at school as part of the national curriculum, to encourage them to eat more healthily as adults, MPs will say today.

There is more than one way to know whether you’re dangerously fat or not, but put down your calculator as new research suggests that the humble measuring tape is all you need.

Rant

A “sleep diet” may be the best way to slim for someone with an inherited tendency to put on weight, research suggests.

The Melbourne Olympics of 1956 launched the glory days of Australian sport, and the biggest stars of those Games were Betty Cuthbert, the golden girl on the track, and Murray Rose, the golden boy in the pool.

People are underestimating sugar levels in drinks which are perceived to be "healthy" options, according to new research.

Surgeons, psychiatrists, paediatricians and GPs launched a campaign today to battle rising levels of obesity, saying current strategies are not working.

We must nourish poorer children

Expanding waistlines are blamed today for soaring rates of kidney cancer which have more than doubled since the 1970s.