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Parents alone can tackle childhood obesity just as effectively as whole-family interventions, new study shows

The study published in the International Journal of Obesity systematically reviews the effectiveness of parent-only group-based interventions for managing childhood obesity and related health behaviors. It concludes that parent-only programs are similarly effective to family-focused interventions in improving a child's weight and BMI, but highlights challenges like higher dropout rates and the need for strong family support.

15 Oct 2023

Childhood verbal abuse: Overlooked harm echoing across age groups

Researchers from a study in the journal "Child Abuse & Neglect" systematically reviewed evidence on childhood verbal abuse, advocating for its clear definition and recognition as a distinct form of maltreatment. Their findings highlight the severe psychological, behavioral, and even neurobiological consequences of verbal abuse across all age groups.

9 Oct 2023

How do parent-child interactions influence mental health and positive social behavior?

The longitudinal association between mental health symptoms and prosocial behavior.

9 Oct 2023

Study helps explain how the brain adapts during a critical period of adulthood

Developing brains become shaped by the sights, sounds, and experiences of early life. The brain's circuits grow more stable as we age.

5 Oct 2023

Pregnancy hormones 'rewire' the brain to prepare for motherhood, research shows

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have shown that pregnancy hormones 'rewire' the brain to prepare mice for motherhood.

5 Oct 2023

Teaching toddlers to cook boosts self-control and healthy eating habits, new study reveals

Researchers presented the findings of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of Recipe 4 Success, a preventive intervention implemented across seven cities, villages, and towns of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania in the USA.

2 Oct 2023

Parental job stress linked to children's socioemotional development

Family mealtimes are important for parents and children as a space to communicate, socialize, and build attachment relationships.

28 Sep 2023

New program helps toddlers develop self-control and healthy eating habits

Two of the best predictors of life-long health and well-being are early childhood self-control skills and healthy eating habits.

28 Sep 2023

Study uncovers how a newborn's cry triggers breast milk release in mothers

Hearing the sound of a newborn's wail can trigger the release of oxytocin, a brain chemical that controls breast milk release in mothers, a new study in rodents shows.

20 Sep 2023

First-time dads face steeper relationship hurdles than second-time fathers, study finds

Study reveals that first-time fathers experience a more significant decline in relationship satisfaction during the transition to parenthood compared to second-time dads. Echoing findings from prior research on mothers, the study suggests that couples should brace for relationship challenges when expecting their first child.

4 Sep 2023

An array of early psychological therapies in response to traumatic childbirth may buffer PTSD development

Researchers systematically reviewed and quantitatively assessed clinical trials on preventing Childbirth-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

30 Aug 2023

Early sensitive parenting experiences associated with academic success for late preterm infants

Late preterm infants, or infants born between 34 and 36-6/7 weeks gestation, are the majority of infants born preterm, and are at greater risk for academic delays compared to full term infants.

29 Aug 2023

Cohesive family mindset linked to improved well-being during the pandemic

Despite reports of families disintegrating under the hardships and constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study suggests that many families may have formed stronger bonds instead.

25 Aug 2023

Untangling Ron Desantis’ debate anecdote about an improbable abortion survival story

When the topic of abortion came up during the first Republican primary presidential debate this week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shared a perplexing anecdote about a woman he’d met who he said had survived the procedure.

25 Aug 2023

Parents see own health spiral as their kids’ mental illnesses worsen

After her teenage daughter attempted suicide and began to cycle through emergency rooms and mental health programs during the past three years, Sarah Delarosa noticed her own health also declined.

14 Aug 2023

Interpersonal supports and community resources can help depressed mothers in parenting

The proverb "It takes a village to raise a child" takes on new significance when a mother of a child is experiencing depression.

8 Aug 2023

Tackling obesity in children with heart disease

Childhood is a window of opportunity to tackle obesity before the damage it causes is irreversible, according to a scientific statement by experts on heart disease and childhood obesity published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).1

26 Jul 2023