Parenting

Mothers with depression had blood tests with higher levels of a protein associated with inflammation and expressed more negativity towards their children. Their children also had blood tests with elevated levels of this protein and were more socially withdrawn.

Girls aged 4 to 6 were more likely to be overweight or obese if they had a TV in their bedroom.

Science & Sports

In a group of mostly young, low-income mothers, tobacco and marijuana use during pregnancy were associated with maternal stress and aggression before and after giving birth, as well as negative birth outcomes such as lower birthweight and greater infant emotional reactivity.

In young newly-licensed drivers, self-reported inattention and impulsivity were associated with more errors on a simulated driving test.

Three-year-old children had better executive function (focus, planning, and self-control) when their fathers supported their success and independence instead of criticizing or controlling their actions.

Journal of Experimental Child Psychology

Parenting

Children were more likely to have behavioral issues and mental health problems when their parents, particularly their mothers, had four or more severe negative childhood experiences, like abuse or parental divorce.

Kids learning to read improved more when they read alongside an audio rendition of the text, compared to those who read silently.

System

Excessive mobile device use (more than 1 hour per day) among six-year-old children was associated with behavioral issues and hyperactivity/inattention, based on parents' reports.

PLOS ONE

Parenting

Sugar consumption is associated with more frequent risky behavior, such as fighting, bullying, drinking, and smoking, in adolescents. Consuming sugary drinks is more strongly associated with risky behavior than consuming sweets such as chocolate and candy.

Social Science & Medicine

In 4th- and 7th-grade children, drinking sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with childhood hypertension. This relationship was greater for 7th-grade children and boys regardless of age.

Journal of Human Hypertension