Research on mothers' health, family life, and parenting. Covers maternal wellbeing, vaccination questions, marriage and relationships, and breastfeeding.
Researchers found that parents of 3-year-olds worry about their sons' and daughters' body size and eating habits, perpetuating gender stereotypes. This study suggests that parents may be buying into media ideals of thinness for girls and physical strength for boys as early as 36 months.
A study found that employed mothers' kids consumed fewer calories and less nutritious foods at home but increased consumption of fruits and vegetables at school. The researchers noted a lack of correlation between maternal employment time and nutritional intake, suggesting individual balance is necessary.
A study found that adolescent girls who accurately perceived their mother's weight concern were more likely to think about being thinner and diet. The study suggests parents should promote healthy habits through physical activity and nutrition, rather than just weight control.
A study of over 3,000 children reveals that a mother's weight before pregnancy significantly impacts her child's risk of being overweight. The researchers found that children born to mothers who were overweight or obese before pregnancy are three times more likely to be overweight by age 7 compared to those whose mothers were not.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that child poverty rates have decreased in recent years, particularly among children whose mothers work full-time. However, significant racial and ethnic disparities persist, with black and Hispanic children facing higher poverty rates than their white counterparts.
Researchers found that teenage children of mothers who drank one or more drinks a day had a twofold risk of problem drinking in young adulthood. Maternal depression and early teenage behavior increased the risk of alcohol disorders in young adults.
A recent study found that tiny amounts of virus-laden blood leak from placentas to babies during labor, leading to a significant risk of HIV transmission. Researchers suggest that pregnant women start taking anti-retroviral drugs before going into labor as a potential solution.
Researchers found a link between placental microtransfusions and HIV transmission in mothers, particularly during vaginal delivery. The study suggests that better understanding of microtransfusions could lead to more effective treatments for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
A Saint Louis University study challenges the notion that teenage mothers face a future of failure, finding that early motherhood can have positive effects on their lives. The research highlights the crucial role nurses play in supporting young families and providing resources for education, healthcare, and personal growth.
Research suggests that longer periods of childcare can help mitigate the negative effects of a mother's low job satisfaction on her child's stress levels. Cortisol levels, a key indicator of stress, were found to be significantly higher in children whose mothers experienced emotional exhaustion or lower job satisfaction.
A study found that spanking is associated with increased child aggression and anxiety in all countries, regardless of cultural acceptance. The researchers also discovered that the level of physical discipline used by mothers was less strongly linked to child behavior problems when it was perceived as more culturally accepted.
Children whose mothers had placental malaria were more likely to get sick with the disease themselves. First-time mothers' infants showed a surprising lower risk of developing malaria, regardless of their mother's infection status. These findings suggest that both previous pregnancies and placental malaria impact infant susceptibility.
Research reveals that households with unrelated adults, particularly male boyfriends, pose a significant risk to young children. The study found that 21% of children who died from inflicted injuries lived in homes with an unrelated adult, compared to 1% of controls.
Research finds significant regional variations in US low birth weight rates, with some areas having rates up to 3 times higher than others despite controlling for established risk factors like race and socioeconomic status. The study suggests that improvements in social and healthcare systems can lead to better neonatal outcomes.
A recent Australian study found that teenagers who regularly eat with their families are less likely to be overweight. The study suggests that a healthy maternal attitude towards family eating and diet is more important than the frequency of shared meals.
A new study found that second and third-born children perceive greater parental protectiveness than only children, especially in mothers with IBS. This increased protectiveness may lead to more school absences and reported symptoms in later-born children of IBS mothers.
Research found that prenatal exposure to alcohol may cause visual problems in infants, with those born to mothers who binge drank during pregnancy at higher risk. Infants aged 30 and older whose mothers drank during pregnancy also showed poorer visual acuity, suggesting age-related physiological changes may play a role.
Research by Ellen Rutten explores how Russia has been portrayed as a young woman of flesh and blood, with a focus on the role of the state and intellectual elite. The study reveals that modern writers have increasingly emphasized the sexual dimension of this metaphor, assigning it to Russian rulers from Lenin to Putin.
A new study published in WorkingUSA argues that vouchers are not a viable solution for evicted Section 8 tenants, as they often lead to gentrification and displacement of low-income communities. The study highlights the importance of community-led initiatives and union organizing to preserve affordable housing and promote social justice.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that unwed mothers have a 30% lower chance of marrying than childless single women. When they do marry, they are more likely to have older and less educated husbands.
A national survey found that married women were significantly more likely to report sex life problems than single women. Good communication and quality of first experience were also identified as important factors. The study suggests that many people with sexual dysfunction remain silent, with only a small percentage seeking help.
A new study by Cornell University researcher Daniel Lichter found that unwed mothers are less likely to improve their socio-economic status through marriage. Married women with children are significantly less likely to be poor than unmarried mothers, with only 6% of couples living below the poverty line.
Researchers found that homeless mothers are 2.9 times more likely to have a pre-term delivery, while those with substance abuse are 6.9 times more likely to give birth to an infant weighing less than 2000 grams. This highlights the urgent need for healthcare support and interventions for these vulnerable populations.
Mental disorders are a major cause of sickness, disability, and premature mortality in developing countries. Treating mental disorders is crucial to achieving goals such as eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, reducing child mortality, and improving maternal health.
A study found that neighborhood safety concerns did not lead to increased TV time or obesity in preschoolers, challenging the intuitive solution of reducing screen time. The researchers instead recommend increasing outdoor play and making neighborhoods safer for children to improve their well-being.
Researchers found that mothers with dental caries who had C-section births passed a specific bacterium to their babies, leading to an earlier onset of cavities. The study suggests that family dentists should inform patients about the potential risk if they had a C-section delivery.
A meta-analysis of 15 studies reveals that spina bifida causes significant psychological distress in parents, particularly mothers. The condition's impact on families requires healthcare to include psychological support for caregivers to cope with childcare and ensure family well-being.
A study by Ohio State University found that young adult women whose mothers reported cohabitation were 57% more likely to report cohabitation themselves. Daughters of cohabiting mothers also tended to cohabit at earlier ages than others, according to researchers.
Researchers studied the genetic markers of African mole-rats to understand their complex social behavior. They found that these microsatellites can reveal how traits pass from mother to offspring, potentially explaining why family members support a single mother naked mole-rat.
Researchers found that higher folate levels were associated with healthier birth weights, contradicting previous findings. The study suggests that fortifying everyday foods with folic acid could be an effective solution to improve health outcomes.
A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that mothers are discriminated against in the workplace due to cultural biases. The study showed that mothers are more likely to be rejected for job opportunities and face lower wages compared to non-mothers, as they're held to a harsher performance standard.
A new study suggests that the Olmec civilization imported pottery from other cultures, contradicting previous claims that it was the sole source. The findings use petrography to identify minerals in pottery fragments and reveal reciprocal trade between highland and lowland centers.
Researchers found that newborn dolphins and orcas remain active 24 hours a day in the first month, unlike all other mammals. This allows them to reduce danger from predators, maintain body temperature, and facilitate rapid growth.
Researchers found that pomegranate juice reduced brain tissue loss by 60% in mice whose mothers drank water mixed with pomegranate concentrate. The study suggests that pomegranate juice may provide neuroprotective effects and potentially reduce the impacts of hypoxic ischemic brain injury.
Research in macaque monkeys suggests that infant abuse is transmitted through early experience, rather than genetic inheritance. The study found that abused mothers were more likely to abuse their own offspring, but only if raised by non-abusive caregivers.
A study of over 13,500 mothers and their partners found that paternal postnatal depression was associated with adverse emotional and behavioral problems in children, especially boys. The effects persisted even after controlling for maternal postnatal depression.
A major population study examines the impact of maternal factors during pregnancy on PCOS development. The research suggests that high maternal weight in late pregnancy and reduced fetal growth are associated with irregular periods and more severe PCOS symptoms in adulthood.
Research by Professor de Swiet reveals that women over 35 face a higher risk of maternal mortality, pulmonary embolism, and chronic health problems. He advises women seeking motherhood between 25-35 years old for the best outcomes.
Research suggests that drinking during pregnancy can increase the risk of infection in newborns, with excessive alcohol use increasing the risk by more than three times. Maternal smoking also increases the risk of infection, and concurrent abuse of both alcohol and smoking may have synergistic effects.
A recent study found that states with stricter child support enforcement have significantly fewer unmarried births, suggesting that tougher laws may make men more reluctant to become unwed fathers. The study's results suggest a 17-20% reduction in out-of-wedlock births if all 50 states implemented effective enforcement measures.
A Joslin study finds that maintaining a controlled diet and preventing weight gain can prevent the development of glucose intolerance in individuals born with low birth weight. The researchers observed improved insulin sensitivity and reduced risk of diabetes in mice on calorie-restricted diets compared to those allowed to eat freely.
A Swedish study found that mothers who did not room-in their babies at night rated closeness between mother and infant lower and were more worried about sleep and disturbing noises. The study suggests that negative staff attitudes towards night rooming-in may negatively impact breastfeeding rates.
A study published in Cell Metabolism suggests that premature leptin surge in newborn mice of underfed mothers leads to remodeling of key brain circuits contributing to obesity later in life. The researchers found that the early leptin surge alone causes accelerated weight gain.
A study of over 200 mothers and their babies found that a mother's ability to understand her child's emotions and state of mind is a strong indicator of the child's development by two years old. This 'mind-minded' trait was linked to higher scores in language and play skills, even among children from poorer backgrounds.
A genetic variant of the androgen receptor gene has been found to be associated with premature balding in men, leading to more androgen receptors in the scalp. The findings suggest that this genetic defect can be inherited from the mother and may also involve other genes.
A new study published in Child Development found that children placed in a stable home environment fare better than those bounced from one home to another. Children whose emotions were more sad than angry tended to do well, while confusion and intense feelings of sadness prevail among many.
A study found that infants of obese mothers consumed more energy as carbohydrates and had less interaction time with their parents, leading to increased sleeping time. This excess calorie intake may set the stage for childhood obesity, suggesting maternal influences play a crucial role in infant body composition.
A study found that 63% of children of incarcerated mothers had insecure relationships with their mothers and caregivers. Children's reactions to separation from their mothers typically included sadness, worry, confusion, anger, loneliness, fear, sleep problems, and developmental regressions.
Research suggests that embryonic nutrition can impact health outcomes, with adaptations set in place during fetal development potentially leading to benefits later in life. For example, meadow voles have coats thickened or thinned based on day length exposure in early pregnancy, with no immediate survival value but later benefits.
A study by University of North Carolina researchers finds that routine episiotomy during childbirth does not reduce pain or prevent complications, but may cause more harm. Women who underwent the procedure were more likely to experience urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and impaired sexual function.
Infants of mothers with posttraumatic stress syndrome disorder (PTSD) symptoms after 9/11 have significantly lower cortisol levels compared to those born to mothers without the condition. This effect is observed both in utero and after birth, suggesting a potential biological risk factor for PTSD.
A large-scale study identified three key areas of stress faced by new mothers: their maternal role, negative physical and lifestyle changes, and lack of social support. The study also found that personal factors such as tiredness, lack of sleep, and decreasing social activity were major concerns.
Researchers found that rat fetuses exposed to a high-carbohydrate diet in utero developed increased insulin levels, appetite stimulation, and obesity. The study suggests that such malprogramming could be interrupted if the mother's weight and insulin levels are normalized before pregnancy.
Research reveals that working mothers' employment status does not correlate with their children's dietary habits. Children of working mothers tend to have healthier eating habits, regardless of the mother's qualifications or work schedule.
A study by Cardiff University explores the reactions of 38 parents whose children were newly diagnosed, finding that intense emotions and insecurity prevail for up to 12 months after diagnosis. The parents' comments reveal ongoing fear and anxiety about their child's condition and its impact on daily life.
A study published in Epidemiology found that women with a history of preeclampsia are at a two-fold risk of death compared to those without the disorder. Women diagnosed with preeclampsia who had a subsequent normal birth were also found to have a significantly increased risk of dying after 20 years of follow-up.
Research investigates how an Atkins-type high meat, low carbohydrate diet in late pregnancy affects offspring's response to mental stress tests. The study, focusing on the 'Motherwell babies,' explores the long-term effects of maternal nutrition during pregnancy on adulthood health outcomes.
A study of 400 single mothers in Milwaukee found that an anti-poverty program increased the marriage rate by nearly doubling it compared to a control group. The New Hope Project provided benefits such as wage supplements, child care subsidies, and job support, leading to higher marriage rates among participants.
A study by Julie Mennella and colleagues found that moderate alcohol consumption decreases oxytocin levels, which affects milk ejection and production. The increased prolactin levels associated with breast fullness may also contribute to the decline of milk production.
A study conducted in South Africa found that mild iron deficiency in mothers can disrupt healthy mother/infant interactions. The research showed that mildly iron-deficient mothers were less sensitive to their baby's cues and appeared bored or distant more frequently, leading to changes in child behavior.