Today’s teens are better at using birth control when they first become sexually active, but many unexpected pregnancies still occur, new research finds. Teens who didn’t use birth control during their first month of sexual activity faced nearly a fourfold increase in the risk of an unwanted pregnancy within three months, the study found. “Our… read on >
Nearly all TV food ads aimed at Hispanic and black children in the United States are for unhealthy products, a new report claims. In 2017, black teens saw more than twice as many ads for unhealthy food products as white teens, researchers found. “Food companies have introduced healthier products and established corporate responsibility programs to… read on >
When children are having suicidal thoughts, their parents may often be in the dark, a new study shows. The study included more than 5,000 kids, aged 11 to 17, and one parent for each child. Researchers found that among the children, 8 percent said they had contemplated suicide at some time. But only half of… read on >
Two-thirds of gay fathers have felt the pain of social stigma, and they have encountered that stigma most often in religious settings, a new survey shows. “We were not surprised that stigma is still experienced by gay fathers,” said study author Dr. Ellen Perrin. “But we did not expect so much stigma to be experienced… read on >
Getting kids to try new foods can become a daily showdown. One promising approach: expose babies early on to varied tastes and textures. Researchers in Brisbane, Australia, found that food experiences when just 14 months old can influence the eating habits that children will exhibit at age 3. And introducing a variety of fruits and… read on >
TVs and computers are part of everyday life, but the American Academy of Pediatrics urges caution about overuse of digital devices. They should never take the place of face-to-face time with family and friends, the academy says. The AAP suggests how to manage screen use at home: Set limits on media use and be aware… read on >
Pregnant women who get a flu shot protect not only themselves, but also their developing baby, health officials report. When a mom-to-be gets the flu, she can be so sick she needs to be admitted to a hospital’s intensive care unit. And new research finds her baby then runs the risk of being born preterm,… read on >
Stress is a function of the demands placed on people and their ability to meet them, the Nemours Foundation says. Stress affects anyone who feels overwhelmed, including children. Signs of a stressed child include mood swings, acting out, changes in sleep patterns or bedwetting, the foundation says. Additional signs may be stomachache, headache, trouble concentrating… read on >
Teens typically have a significant increase in appetite around the age of 10 in girls and 12 in boys, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. During adolescence, boys require an average of 2,800 calories per day and girls an average of 2,200 calories per day. Hunger typically starts to subside once teens stop growing, the… read on >
You know how important fiber is for overall health, making meals more filling and staying “regular.” But did you know that children need their fair share of fiber, too? And for the same reasons. How much is enough? In general, the U.S. Institute of Medicine states that monitoring fiber intake should start early in life,… read on >
