Obesity can shorten someone’s health span by as many as 8 years, says research released this month in “The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology” journal. When coupled with the complication of type 2 diabetes–one of the most common obesity-related health issues– that number can more than double, decreasing a life span by almost 20 years.

Are the companies that bring us junk food and sugary drinks funding feel-good research studies to mask what they’re really doing—driving conditions such as obesity and diabetes to record-high levels, particularly among Blacks and Latinos?

U.S. poison control centers say they get a lot of calls about children and energy drinks. The reason, according to findings from a study done by the American Heart Association, is that kids can experience grave health risks when they chug caffeinated drinks, CNN.com reports.

Obesity is an epidemic in the Latino population and we need to take action because our kids may be the first generation to live a shorter life than our own.  NBC Latino’s Dr. Joseph Sirven walks you through the startling numbers and gives you ways to combat childhood obesity by increasing children’s physical activity and making better food choices.