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/ Health News / 2008 / October 2008 / October 5, 2008 Heavy load of activities make kids thrive emotionally |
Sack lunches may not provide adequate nutrients to preschooler
Packing lunch for your child might not be a good idea, for a new study has found that sack lunches may not regularly provide adequate nutrients for the growth and development of young children. ANI
Health-monitoring system helps maintain older adults well-being
Many older adults want to remain active and independent for as long as possible. Now, researchers from University of Missouri suggest that installing health monitoring system can help keep check on the health of the elderly and ensure their privacy. ANI
New drug shows potential to treat angina, other cardiac problems
A compound, designed to prevent chest pains in heart patients, could act as a drug to treat angina and possibly other cardiac pathologies, according to a study on animals. ANI
A heavy load of scheduled activities does not increase childrens levels of stress, instead it helps them thrive emotionally, according to a new study.
Washington, Oct 5 : A heavy load of scheduled activities does not increase children's levels of stress, instead it helps them thrive emotionally, according to a new study.
During the study, researchers analysed data collected in a previous nationally representative survey of elementary school aged children and their families and a qualitative study conducted in two medium-sized communities in the American Midwest.
According to Sandra Hofferth, from University of Maryland, previous studies have raised the spectre of the "hurried child syndrome," but little has been known about the proportion of children whose extra-curricular activities might be excessive and whether these were associated with child anxiety, alienation, depression, fearfulness and reduced self-esteem.
She conducted the research with a team from Central Michigan University and Oakland Community College.
The analysis revealed that only one-quarter of children met the criteria of "hurried" - three or more activities or more than four hours devoted to activities within a two day period; 58 percent were "balanced," pursuing one or two activities, and 17 percent reported no activities.
Children of mothers with more education and higher family incomes were busier.
When compared with children in the balanced group, children with higher activity levels did not have higher levels of stress or lower self-esteem, while, children with no activities were the most withdrawn, socially immature, and had the lowest self-esteem.
"The notion that we're raising a generation of young children stressed-out by overscheduled lives doesn't appear to square with the facts," said Hofferth.
"Even a high level of structured activities does not appear to be emotionally stressful for children.
"Highly active children don't differ from children with a more balanced set of activities. Contrary to popular belief, children who are most at risk of being depressed, anxious, alienated, and fearful are those with no activities," she added.
ANI
