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Results for search "Parenting".

25 Sep

Playtime with Dad Helps Boost Kids’ Grades Significantly, New Study Finds

Fathers who regularly read, play and draw with their young children give them an educational advantage, according to new research.

23 May

Parent Concerns about HPV Vaccine Safety Growing, Study Finds

More than 1 out of 4 parents remain reluctant to vaccinate their preteens against HPV despite growing evidence of the vaccine’s safety, researchers say.

31 Mar

Harsh Parenting Can Cause Lasting Mental Health Problems in Children, New Study Finds

Young kids who experience harsh physical or psychological treatment at home are significantly more likely to develop symptoms that put them at high-risk for mental health problems, researchers say.

Health News Results - 878

Household Foods Get Less Healthy as Babies Age Into Toddlers

Over the first few years of a child's life, foods found in a family's fridge and cupboards tends to get less healthy, new research shows.

“We found significant changes in several food categories over time," said study lead author Jennifer Barton. "Food items such as non-whole grains, processed meats, savory snacks, candy and micr...

Youth Baseball Can Lead to Overuse Injuries: What Parents Need to Know

Baseball season is near, and one orthopedic surgeon is warning young players and their coaches and parents about the very real danger of overuse injuries.

Dr. Mark Cohen is a hand, wrist and elbow surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH, in...

Medical Costs for Kids' Mental Health Jumped 31% in 5 Years

The cost to American families of caring for a child with a mental health condition rose by almost a third between 2017 and 2021, a new report finds, to an average $4,361 per year. 

Overall, American families spent an estimated $31 billion in 2021 on child mental health services, which now make up nearly half (about 47%) of all child medical spending, the report found.

The findi...

How After-School Programs Can Harm Teens' Mental Health

Days clogged with numerous after-school activities are detrimental to the mental health of over-scheduled high school students, a new study finds.

Researchers also found that these "enrichment' activities -- tutoring, sports, school clubs and even homework -- are unlikely to benefit students academically.

Many folks think extra study time or tutoring will lead to better grades, but ...

U.S. School Shootings Have Risen 12-fold Since 1970

During the past half-century, the United States’ annual number of school shootings has increased more than twelvefold, a new study finds.

What’s more, children are now four times more likely to be a school shooting victim, and the death rate from school shootings has risen more than sixfold.

“Firearm violence is a public health crisis, and it needs to be addressed,” said lea...

ER Visits for Infant, Child Melatonin Poisonings Are Soaring

As more Americans pop over-the-counter melatonin to help them sleep, their young children are increasingly showing up in ERs after accidentally ingesting the supplements.

A new report of data from 2012 through 2021 finds a 420% rise in such cases during that time, along with a 530% inc...

Toddlers Fixated on Screens Talk Less With Parents

Using TVs and tablets as "e-babysitters" really cuts down on the time toddlers spend interacting with parents or other caregivers, new research shows.

The Australian team of investigators are calling the phenomenon "technoference" -- a scenario where "young children’s exposure to screen time is interfering with opportunities to talk and interact in their home environment."

The res...

Vaccines Protect You & Your Kids From Measles: FDA

As new outbreaks of measles -- a once nearly eliminated illness in the United States -- continue to emerge, experts remind Americans that there's an easy way to stop infection: Get vaccinated.

"Measles spreads so easily that if one person has it, 90% of the people close to that person who are not vaccinated or otherwise immune will also become infected," the U.S. Food and Drug Administrat...

Stressed Parents Could Mean More Self-Harm by Kids

Teens have a higher risk of self-injury -- deliberately cutting or burning themselves -- if they have a fraught relationship with a struggling parent, a new study shows.

Teenagers were nearly five times more likely to self-injure if, when they were 6, their moms and dads reported stress and discomfort in their role as parents, researchers found.

Teens also had a nearly doubled risk ...

How to Calm Your Child After a Nightmare

Most parents have experienced it: Your young child wakes up distraught, sure that the nightmare they've just suffered through is real.

Dr. Anis Rehman, an internal medicine specialist and consultant to the Sleep Foundation, says that...

Which Families Are Less Likely to Get Teens the HPV Vaccine?

Well-to-do American families are more likely than poorer families to increase their children's risk of cervical cancer by skipping the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, a new study has found.

Nearly two-thirds of well-off parents (65%) do not intend to seek out the HPV vaccine for their teens, compared with 40% of disadvantaged parents, researchers report.

“Parents from socioeco...

Earbuds, Headphones a Rising Threat to Kids Hearing

Many younger children could be permanently damaging their hearing by blasting loud music on their earbuds and headphones, a new report finds.

Two in three parents say that their child between the ages of 5 and 12 regularly pop listening devices in their ears, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health 

That in...

School Lockdown Drills Help Students Feel Safer: Study

Lockdown drills have become a shudder-inducing part of American life, preparing kids to lie low and keep quiet if a gunman chooses to roam their school.

But a new study finds these drills help children who've been exposed to violence, helping them feel safer at school.

The findings contradict claims that drills traumatize children rather than making them feel secure, researchers sai...

Want to Boost Your Preschoolers' Language Skills? Reminisce With Them

Talking about the “good old days” might elicit eye rolls from teenagers, but it could be the key to boosting a preschooler's language skills, a new study finds.

Reminiscing about past events with preschoolers presents young kids with high-quality speech as good as or better than sharing a book or playing with toys, researchers discovered.

“Talk in reminiscing is characterized ...

Long Hours Watching Videos May Stunt Toddlers' Language Development

Television has been wryly referred to as the “electronic babysitter,” but a new study argues TV or other media could stunt a child's language development.

Children plopped in front of videos for hours on end tend to use phrases and sentences with fewer words, researchers reported recently in the journal Acta Paediatrica....

Parenting Style Could Influence ADHD Severity in Kids

A shift in parenting early in a child's development might help curb the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), new research suggests.

When a preschooler exhibits an "excitable or exuberant" temperament, dialing down a "controlling" style of parenting in favor of what's known as "directive" parenting could mean milder ADHD symptoms as a child ages, Canadian researcher...

Even 'White Lies' From Parents Encourage Lying by Kids

Kids are more likely to lie to their parents if their parents have been lying to them -- even with positive “white” lies, a new study shows.

But researchers found a difference between encouraging white lies and “instrumental” lies that involve false threats or promises.

Any sort of instrumental lie -- “Behave or I'll call the police” or “Finish your homework and we'll ...

Stress Main Factor Driving Teens to Abuse Drugs, Alcohol

American teenagers cite stress as the leading reason they might get drunk or high, a new report reveals.

That only underscores the need for better adolescent mental health care, according to the research team behind the study.

Better "access to treatment and support for mental health concerns and stress could reduce some of the reported motivations for substance use," concluded inve...

High School Kids Who Use Weed, Alcohol Face Higher Risks for Suicidal Thoughts

High school students who smoke, drink or use weed are more likely to be emotionally troubled and have suicidal thoughts, a new study finds.

Teens who turn to nicotine, alcohol or marijuana are more likely to think about suicide, feel depressed or anxious, have psychotic episodes and exhibit inattention or hyperactivity, researchers report Jan. 29 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.

Social Withdrawal in Kids, Teens May Signal Higher Suicide Risk Later: Study

If your preteen or teen skips school activities and social events, it may be more than the typically moody behavior of adolescence, new research warns.

Being socially withdrawn and having physical discomforts such as headaches, nausea or stomachaches as a preteen may boost the risk of having suicidal thoughts by age 16, researchers report.

  • Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
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  • January 26, 2024
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  • Detergent Pod Poisoning Threat to Kids Hasn't Gone Away

    The health dangers posed by colorful detergent pods continues to plague young children, a new study warns.

    U.S. poison control centers still receive one call every 44 minutes about a young child who's been harmed through exposure to a liquid laundry detergent pod, researchers report.

    The steady stream of calls is evidence that voluntary standards adopted by detergent manufacturers i...

    'Big Little Leap' to Kindergarten an Important Milestone for Kids

    Kindergarten might seem like child's play, but embracing the adventure can play a key role in a kid's future educational success, a new study finds.

    A successful early transition to kindergarten -- what the researchers called the “big little leap” -- can put a child firmly on the right path, researchers found.

    Kids who made a more successful transition in the first 10 to 14 week...

    Is Your Kid Gambling Online? Poll Shows Most Parents Wouldn't Know

    Think your kid is safe from exposure to gambling?

    Don't bet on it.

    "Teens and young adults may have a difficult time going into a casino unnoticed but they have easy access to a variety of betting and gambling options," said Sarah Clark, co-director of C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's H...

    These Traits Help Keep College Kids Happy

    College freshmen who are more outgoing and agreeable -- and less moody -- are more likely to feel a sense of belonging at their new school, new research has found.

    Those personality traits could result in better academic performance and better mental health during college, the study authors concluded.

    However, two other important personality traits -- conscientiousness and openness ...

    Bigger Families Could Mean Poorer Mental Health for Kids

    A crowded house may not be the best for the mental health of a family's kids, a new study has found.

    Teens from larger families tend to have poorer mental health than those with fewer siblings, according to a large-scale analysis of children in the United States and China.

    In the United States, children with no or one sibling had the best mental health, while in China well-being was...

    Too Much Screen Time Might Harm Kids' 'Sensory Processing'

    Exposing babies and toddlers to TV and other digital media could be linked to a heightened risk for dysfunction in what's known as "sensory processing," a new study warns.

    Kids with "atypical sensory processing" are often hypersensitive to the touch, sound, taste or look of stimuli in their environment.

    For example, kids might try to avoid the feel of certain clothing, the taste of ...

    Pediatricians Offer 8 Goals to Parents to 'Start the Year Strong'

    New Year's resolutions often center on weight loss and personal lifestyle changes, but setting good parenting goals is also well worth the effort, pediatricians say.

    “This is a great time to take a step back, take a breath and look at how we as a family taking care of ourselves and each other,” pediatrician Dr. Steph Lee said. “W...

    Holidays Can Be Tough on Kids With ADHD, Anxiety: Some Tips for Parents

    Kids with emotional problems or ADHD can find the holidays a very challenging time, as all the routines that provide a sense of order are jumbled in a whirl of activities.

    The kids are home from school and restless, their parents are hauling them along to Christmas shopping and holiday gatherings, and they're eating lots of heavy meals and sugary treats.

    But there are ways to limit ...

    Childhood Trauma Could Raise Odds for Adult Physical Pain

    Beyond a myriad of other consequences, childhood trauma appears to raise the specter of chronic pain in adulthood, new research shows.

    Researchers pored over 75 years' worth of data involving more than 826,000 people. That included information on levels of neglect or physical, emotional or sexual abuse, plus other serious trauma of childhood.

    Their review found strong links between ...

    Better Grades, Less Time on Phones: Poll Shows Kids', Parents' Resolutions for 2024

    More patience. Less time on phones. Healthier habits. Better grades.

    Parents and kids alike are making resolutions for the New Year, setting personal goals for themselves in 2024, a new poll has found.

    Nearly three in four parents say they will adopt a resolution or personal goal in the coming year, and over half say their tween or teen child will do the same, according to the Unive...

    Most U.S. Parents Plan to Vaccinate Kids Against Flu, RSV: Survey

    Most parents plan to have their kids vaccinated against influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), even as COVID-19 vaccine acceptance flags, a new poll finds.

    Seven in 10 parents (71%) plan to have their children get an RSV jab and six in 10 (63%) plan to get their kids the flu vaccine, according to poll results published recently in the journal

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 18, 2023
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  • Your Child Has a Fever: When Is It Time to See a Doctor?

    It's that time of year when your kids come home with sniffles and sore throats, but when should you worry if they have a fever?

    To a certain extent, fevers are the body's natural way of fighting infection, one expert says.

    “Fever helps the immune system,” explained Dr. Christopher Tolcher, a pediatrician with Agou...

    For Kids, Superbowl & Drinking Can Mean Tougher Discipline From Parents

    Parents who imbibe while watching the Super Bowl are more likely to use aggressive discipline on their children than those who abstain during the football game, a new study reports.

    What's interesting is that moms made up more than 90% of the parents in the study, noted lead researcher Bridget Freisthler, a professor of social ...

    Why Teens Use Marijuana: Study Finds It's Not Just About Getting High

    Teens who avidly use weed typically use it either for enjoyment or to cope, but both uses have a dark side to them, new research finds.

    Teenagers who use marijuana for enjoyment or to forget their problems have more demand for it, meaning that they are willing to both consume more weed when it's free and spend more money to obtain it, researchers said.

    These same teens also tend to ...

    Pediatricians' Group Offers Parents Advice on GMO Foods

    Some parents are concerned about the effects of genetically modified foods on their children's health.

    As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a new clinical report urging more research and transparency into genetically modified organism (GMO) foods, to help families make informed decisions when food shopping.

    “A trip to the grocery store can be complicate...

    Spotting Epilepsy in Kids Isn't Always Easy: Know the Signs

    Neurologist Dr. Deborah Holder says she often has parents come to her with kids who've experienced what they call "funny spells."

    “Sometimes I start talking to a parent and find out the parent has [also] had 'funny spells' for years, but had no idea they were epileptic seizures," said Holder, who practices a...

    Immediate Body Contact With Parents Helps Preemie Newborns Thrive

    Having mom or dad hold their preemie baby against their own skin immediately after birth appears to help the infants in their development months later, new research shows.

    In many neonatal wards, babies born prematurely are transferred soon after delivery to an incubator, to keep them warm and help them stabilize.

    But even a few hours of skin-to-skin contact between a newborn and a ...

    Does Social Media Raise Teens' Odds for Drug Use, Risky Sex?

    Teens glued to Instagram, TikTok and other social media are more likely to drink, take drugs, smoke and engage in risky sexual behaviors, a new review warns.

    For example, spending at least two hours a day on social media doubled the odds of alcohol consumption, compared with less than two hours daily use, researchers report in the Nov. 29 issue of

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 30, 2023
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  • Forget Grandma: Today's Parents Turn to Social Media for Advice, Poll Finds

    MONDAY, Nov. 20, 2023 (Healthday News) -- Expert advice and self-help books are officially passé: Social media is where nearly all new parents now go for guidance on potty training, sleep issues and toddler tantrums, a new poll shows.

    Four in five turn to forums like TikTok and Facebook for tips on caring for young children, while nearly half rate social media as very useful for finding ...

    Melatonin Use Skyrockets Among U.S. Kids, Study Finds

    Record numbers of children and tweens now take melatonin for sleep, potentially doing harm to their development, a new study warns.

    Nearly one in five school-aged kids are popping melatonin to help them rest, often with the help of their parents, researchers reported in the Nov. 13 issue of the journal JAMA ...

    Most Kids With the Flu Miss Out on Antiviral Tamiflu

    Children stricken with influenza aren't receiving the flu-busting antiviral drug Tamiflu even though it's recommended for them, a new study says.

    Three of five children with the flu aren't prescribed Tamiflu, researchers report online Nov. 13 in the journal

  • Dennis Thompson and Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporters
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  • November 14, 2023
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  • Tasty and Healthy: Try These Thanksgiving Meal Tips for Kids

    The Thanksgiving table is typically loaded down with turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes and all kinds of pie, but nutritionists say kids should also be encouraged to eat fresh fruit and vegetables during the holiday meal.

    Precious few children eat enough fruits and vegetables the rest of the year, so the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages families to prepare Thanksgiving ...

    Babies Are Contracting Salmonella After Handling Pet Food, FDA Warns

    FRIDAY, Nov. 10, 2023 (Healthday News) -- Two federal health agencies are investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to dog food that has sickened seven people in seven states, nearly all of them infants.

    On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

  • Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 10, 2023
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  • Youngest Kids With ADHD in Class No Less Likely to See Diagnosis Fade

    Experts have long wondered whether diagnoses for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the youngest children in a class would hold.

    A new study suggests that being the youngest, and possibly most immature, did not appear to make a difference.

    “We know the youngest children in their year group are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD -- but many believe this is becaus...

    1 in 5 U.S. Parents Worry Their Teen Is Addicted to the Internet

    American parents fear their teens' internet use could expose them to cyberbullying, harmful content and set them up for addiction, a new study shows.

    A survey of about 1,000 moms and dads found more than 22% were concerned their children might be dependent on the internet. Twice as many were worried about internet addiction as were concerned about addiction to substances like drugs or alc...

    FDA Issues Warning on Dangers of Probiotic Products for Preemie Babies

    Federal regulators have sent warning letters to two companies for illegally selling probiotic products for use in preterm infants.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also sent a letter to health care providers warning of the risks.

    Probiotic products contain live organisms such as bacteria or yeast. They are commonly found in dietary supplements.

    These products may be dange...

    Pandemic Didn't Lower Parents' Trust in Childhood Vaccines

    Lots of vaccine disinformation spread during the pandemic, and doctors worried that may have given some parents pause about not only the risks of the COVID shot, but of childhood vaccines as well.

    Now, new research puts that worry to rest.

    “We did not see a significant increase in parents who are hesitant toward routine childhood vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to b...

    America's Pediatricians Offer Tips for a Safe Halloween

    As pint-size witches, ghosts and superheroes roam the streets on Halloween, it's important for adults to keep their eyes on safety.

    “It's always best for an adult to accompany young children when they trick-or-treat,” said Dr. Sadiqa Kendi, chief of pediatric emergency medicine at Boston Medica...

    A New Dad's Postpartum Depression Can Be Tough on His Kids

    It's well known that mothers can suffer postpartum depression, a condition that affects not only their well-being but also their child's development.

    Now, new research finds that fathers can also experience depression after the births of their babies and this doubles their children's odds of having three or more adverse childhood experiences before the age of 5.

    “There's a number ...

    Mom's Curling Iron Can Be Big Burn Hazard for Kids

    Tens of thousands of U.S. children received burns over a decade from beauty devices found in many homes: curling irons.

    “Hair styling tools are a timeless piece of our everyday routine, helping to create the picture-perfect look. Yet they have the greatest propensity to create a not so picture-perfect accident when not handled with care,” said Dr. Brandon Rozanski, lead author of a ne...

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