News Bytes

Teens spanked as children, likely to suffer mental health problems Adolescents who were spanked as children are likely to suffer mental and physical health problems, and display defiant behaviour, says a study published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry (April). For the study, University of Manitoba researchers interviewed 1,883 adolescents aged 14- 17 years. They were asked how often their caregivers had spanked their bottoms or slapped their hands in childhood. Moreover they were asked whether they had experienced emotional, sexual, or physical abuse, physical neglect, and/or exposure to violence during childhood. The researchers found that adolescents who had experienced three or more spanking/slapping punishments during childhood are more likely to suffer mental and/or physical health disorders compared to those who had reported being spanked or slapped twice or less. “There is a considerable body of evidence that indicates that spanking is harmful. Conversely there are no studies showing its beneficial impact. Despite this, some parents continue to spank children to discipline them,” says study author Tracie O. Afifi, a professor at the University of Manitoba. Screen time adversely affects children’s eating habits The time children and adolescents spend on digital entertainment — computers, mobile phones, television and video games — adversely affects their eating habits, says a study conducted by EpiPHAAN (Epidemiology, Physical Activity, Accelerometry and Nutrition) research group of the University of Malaga (Spain). The study, which analysed physical activity and obesity levels of more than 3,800 children and adolescents, aged 8-16, from 245 schools across Spain, found that children who spent long hours on-screen tend to consume less fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish and nuts and eat more sweets, candies and fast food. Julia Wärnberg, study lead author, researcher and nutrition expert at the University of Malaga, recommends that children and adolescents follow the Mediterranean diet to maintain good eating habits. “The Mediterranean diet is one of the most complete, balanced and healthy diets, as it prevents obesity and provides life-long assurance against cardiovascular ailments,” says Wärnberg. Snoring-child behavioural problems connection A recent study published in Nature Communications has uncovered evidence that behavioral problems in children who snore may be associated with changes in the structure of their brain’s frontal lobe. Researchers led by Amal Isaiah of the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine studied data of over 11,000 nine-ten-year-olds to examine the connection between snoring, brain structure, and behavioral problems. The study found that children who snore regularly are likely to have thinner gray matter in several regions of frontal brain lobes. These areas of the brain stimulate higher reasoning skills and impulse control. “The brain matter of children who snore is similar to what’s observed in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Such children suffer loss of cognitive control which is associated with disruptive behavior,” says study lead author Amal Isaiah, associate professor at UMSOM. Girls spend longer hours on household chores during lockdown During last year’s pandemic lockdown in India, adolescent girl children experienced greater pressure to get married, spent longer hours doing household chores,…