Americans are living longer than ever before. But does this longer life expectancy mean that people are living healthier, or are they living longer through periods of sickness?

Sleep is an important part of your health. Without your nightly shut-eye, your body would not get the rest it needs to prepare for the next day. A lack of sleep can also lead to certain diseases, including diabetes.

Depression takes a toll on more than your mind. It can also hurt your body. It is even possible that depression early in life may be linked to diabetes later on.

Sugary drinks have become widely consumed and popular among people of all ages - especially among teens. Drinking too many of these beverages can cause serious health problems though.

Extra weight might not seem like a lot of trouble, but the more weight you add on the more pain you might feel - especially in your lower back. Lose the weight to feel physically better.

Being obese is already known to raise the risk for type 2 diabetes. Now, it seems that the "dose" of obesity - the amount of excess weight a person carries and for how long - has an effect on that person's risk.

Obesity rates have skyrocketed and according to new research this isn't even the worst of it. If people continue to neglect or avoid the problem many more people will suffer.

Some obese patients develop conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, while others manage to avoid such chronic diseases. That may be because all obesity is not the same.