School meals are critical to child health. Research has shown that school meals can be more nutritious than meals from other sources, such as meals brought from home. A recent study that one of us conducted found the quality of school meals has steadily improved, especially since the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act strengthened nutrition standards for school meals. […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
Free school meals for all may reduce childhood obesity, while easing financial and logistical burdens for families and schools
Online wellness content: 3 ways to tell evidence-based health information from pseudoscience
“I drink borax!” proclaims the smiling TikToker. Holding up a box of the laundry additive, she rhymes off a list of its supposed health benefits: “Balances testosterone and estrogen. It’s a powerhouse anti-inflammatory…. It’s amazing for arthritis, osteoporosis…. And obviously it’s great for your gut health.” Videos like these prompted health authorities to warn the public about […] … learn more→
Your heart changes in size and shape with exercise – this can lead to heart problems for some athletes and gym rats
Exercise has long been recognized by clinicians, scientists and public health officials as an important way to maintain health throughout a person’s lifespan. It improves overall fitness, helps build strong muscles and bones, reduces the risk of chronic disease, improves mood and slows physical decline. Exercise can also significantly reduce the risk of developing conditions that negatively […] … learn more→
In 2024, the Nutri-score will evolve: why, and what should we remember?
The Nutri-score is a logo intended to inform consumers about the nutritional quality of foods and allow them to compare them with each other, while encouraging manufacturers to improve the nutritional composition of their products. Its method of calculation has been subject to a revision which comes into force in 2024 in the seven European […] … learn more→
Healing from child sexual abuse is often difficult but not impossible
A mayor, a karate instructor, a former cop, an award-winning journalist and a pastor. All five of these individuals in positions of authority or trust made headlines within the past year in connection with childhood sexual abuse. Beyond the headlines and whatever punishments are meted out, each heinous case is alleged to involve a child who endured unjustifiable suffering and is […] … learn more→
Students do better and schools are more stable when teachers get mental health support
When it comes to mental health at school, typically the focus is on helping students, especially as they emerge from the pandemic with heightened levels of anxiety, stress and emotional need. But as school officials seek to put resources toward student well-being, another school population is possibly being overlooked: teachers. Teachers are experiencing high levels of stress, […] … learn more→
PhD students’ mental health is poor and the pandemic made it worse – but there are coping strategies that can help
A pre-pandemic study on PhD students’ mental health showed that they often struggle with such issues. Financial insecurity and feelings of isolation can be among the factors affecting students’ wellbeing. The pandemic made the situation worse. We carried out research that looked into the impact of the pandemic on PhD students, surveying 1,780 students in summer 2020. We asked them […] … learn more→
This is how the pre-adolescent brain changes with depression
Depression, a disorder that can affect us at any time in our lives, shows its most complex face in the transition from childhood to adolescence, the so-called pre-adolescence, a period of intense changes and challenges. This stage of life, marked by a significant transformation both physically and emotionally, is also a critical moment in brain development, […] … learn more→
‘News overload’: how a constant stream of violent images affects your brain
In May 1097, during the siege of Nicaea, crusaders catapulted the severed heads of prisoners over the walls surrounding the city, with the aim of terrorising their enemy. The strategy worked. On June 19 of the year the crusaders captured the city. However, only those who lived near the city walls would have felt the […] … learn more→
Wearing eyeglasses can help students do better in school
Education plays a pivotal role in shaping a child’s future. While there are a few generally accepted factors for setting them up for success in school, such as dedicated parents or caregivers, encouraging educators, and healthy habits, a surprising component is gaining prominence in the academic performance of students. The simple act of wearing glasses […] … learn more→
