Studies that Can Help Your Children and You

Researchers seem to be focusing a lot on the health of children and teenagers lately, possibly because their futures are looking pretty grim, especially health-wise. From nutrition to sex, here are some of the results of the studies they've conducted.

Keeping the amount of television children watch down makes them healthier.

We've known for a long time that sitting in front of the television for hours a day instead of going outside to play is bad for children because it prevents them from getting enough exercise, but researchers have also found that children that watch more television eat more, as well. It could be because the channels that show children's programming are loaded with commercials for sugary snacks, prompting them to eat. So television is twice as bad than we thought.

Eating breakfast makes teens weigh less. Yet more proof that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The crazy thing about it is that the teens who ate breakfast in the study consumed more calories throughout the day than those who didn't. Perhaps the teenagers that ate breakfast had more energy during the day and burned more calories because of it. So make sure your kids get up early enough to eat a good, healthy breakfast.

Teens in romantic relationships are more likely to practice safe sex. Of course parents don't want their teenagers having sex at all, but teens in more serious relationships are comfortable with their partners, making it more likely that they will discuss having safe sex and using birth control. So you may not like that your teen is in a serious relationship at such a young age and you may not see their boyfriend or girlfriend as being as wonderful as they do, but at least there's a bright side to it.

The more you talk about sex with your kids, the better. You may not like doing it, but the more you do it, the better off your kids will be. It's important that you start when they're around sixth grade, or even earlier, and discuss different aspects of it with them, getting more in depth as they get older. Studies show that the better educated teens are, the later they'll wait to have sex, and when they do, they will be more cautious and practice safe sex. The more you talk about it, the easier it will get.

Extremely moody teens' brains are different. Don't despair if your teenager suffers from severe mood swings or seems to have a less-than-sunny disposition. Researchers have found out that the portions of the brains of teens suffering from teen angst that affect emotions actually develop faster than the portions of their brains that help them deal with these emotions. These portions usually catch up sometime in their twenties. They'll get back on track someday, so you can tell them they'll eventually feel better. It's important to talk to them, however, and make sure there's not something else going on like problems at school, home, or relationship troubles.

So for all the parents out there struggling to make their children's futures the brightest that they can, there are researchers out there doing the best that they can to help you understand your children and what they need. One of the best things you can do is put yourself in their place. You were a kid once, so think of what would have worked on you when it comes to convincing your kids to make the right choices.