Sugar and Britain’s obesity crisis: the key questions answered

The government is under pressure over Public Health England’s report on the effect of sugar on our health. So what are the issues and what might be done to cure our sweet tooth?

Loneliness is dangerous: ignore it at your peril

A radio station helped a 95-year-old caller who was lonely but most people have to deal with it themselves or face health-related consequences, including premature death

How much medical information would you share in the name of big data?

Harnessing data for healthcare provision and research is improving, but barriers such as privacy concerns, mistrust and medical culture are holding it back

Drug allegedly used as poison by serial killer suspect led to 20 deaths in 2014

GHB, the psychoactive drug popular within gay ‘chemsex’ scene, is easy to overdose on and responsible for growing list of fatalities, experts warn

FGM: reporting of cases among children becomes mandatory

Health professionals, teachers and social workers obliged to report child FGM cases from next week but duty on GPs to record cases among adults sparks row

Mindfulness? I’d rather live life to the full

With its emphasis on personal detachment, mindfulness is nothing but therapy for our narcissistic time and a toxic endorsement of the selfie culture

Six myths about sleep: if you got up early to read this, you’re in trouble

Early birds are more than welcome to the worms. Workplaces, schools and colleges should change the times we work to make us healthier and wiser

Mindfulness has huge health potential – but McMindfulness is no panacea

Britain’s robust cross-party parliamentary report on the benefits of mindfulness is a model to legislators across the developed world: this ‘way of being’ is no quick fix

Britain’s most dangerous prisoners to get meditation lessons

About 60 inmates held in segregation units will be taught mindfulness-based techniques in an effort to calm their violent impulses

The Guardian view on sex education: it’s all about respect

Editorial: It sounds far-fetched but starting sex education at primary school could be the key to transforming the grisly experiences of freshers’ week