For decades studies have linked chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer to lifestyle factors – diet, weight and exercise.

Sally Fallon-Morell, co founder of the Weston A Price Foundation and author of the best-selling book Nourishing Traditions, will be speaking in Wellington on Thursday 29 March.

Researchers at Harvard University have found that eating too much red meat can increase the risk of dying at a younger age from heart disease, cancer and other conditions.

Kiwis are heavier in ratio to their height than individuals from other countries, and genetics may not be to blame. Scientists believe that factors such as protein intake, diet and diseases may play a part in determining height and weight.

Frying food with olive or sunflower oil is not bad for the heart, say experts. A study of the Spanish diet surveyed 40,757 adults and found no increased risk of heart disease or premature death linked to frying foods in this way.

With the festive season often comes extra kilos, but that doesn't have to be the case. By dishing up healthy foods you can sidestep temptation and avoid the pounds.

In need of last-minute Christmas recipe ideas? Take a look at these Christmas recipes by some of our well-known Kiwi chefs.

A study by Newcastle University has found that attitudes to food and fitness are largely fixed by the time individuals reach the age of 10.

According to a study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association fitness reduces the risk of death from cardiovascular disease more than diet.

According to a study undertaken by Cancer Research UK, 40 per cent of cancers are caused by avoidable lifestyle choices such as alcohol consumption, smoking and diet.

A study of eating patterns found that adults of a normal weight ate more often than overweight individuals, but the overweight still consumed more calories and were more sedentary.

A recent study undertaken in Brazil has found that diet in males can greatly affect sperm health and the chance that their partner will become pregnant.

Women who eat a Mediterranean diet are more likely to get pregnant easily.