Stepfamilies add to caregiver burden
Caregiving is always tough, but it’s that much tougher when caregivers have to rely on family ties that are ambiguous, strained or virtually nonexistent, suggests a University of Michigan study.
Published online this month in...
Youth get cigarettes and alcohol from friends and family
A survey conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) shows that a majority of those underage students in Ontario who smoke or drink are getting cigarettes and alcohol from a friend...
Bedsharing associated with longer breastfeeding
Frequent bedsharing between a mother and infant was associated with longer duration of breastfeeding, but researchers warned of the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) associated with bedsharing, in a study by Yi...
Sibling bullying: What’s the big deal?
Sibling bullying is a type of violence that is prevalent in the lives of most children, but little is known about it, researchers say.
Clemson University psychology professor Robin Kowalski said the phenomenon has been...
Edible coatings for ready-to-eat fresh fruits and vegetables
The scientist who turned fresh-cut apple slices into a popular convenience food, available ready-to-eat in grocery stores, school cafeterias and fast-food restaurants, today described advances in keeping other foods fresh, flavorful and safe for...
The benefits of wishes on seriously ill children and their parents
New research has shown that schemes that grant children with a life threatening illness a special wish have a positive impact on their and their family’s wellbeing.
The research also demonstrates that seeing the child...
Kids get more exercise in smart growth neighbourhoods
Children who live in "smart growth" neighborhoods - developments that are designed to increase walkability and have more parks and green space areas - get 46% more moderate or vigorous physical activity than kids...
Commercial baby foods don’t meet infants’ weaning needs
UK commercial baby foods don’t meet infants’ dietary weaning needs, because they are predominantly sweet foods that provide little extra nutritional goodness over breast milk, indicates research published online in Archives of Disease in...
Why warnings may be ineffective at teaching young people about risks
Campaigns to get young people to stop smoking may be more successful by focusing on the positive benefits, such as having more money and better skin, rather than emphasising negative outcomes like increased disease...
Parents’ genes may influence children’s back to school fears
Many parents may have noticed their children seemed on edge during their first week of school. They may have been agitated, withdrawn or more focused on themselves, rather than what was going on around...
