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6 Expert Tips from a Pediatrician to Foster a Healthy Relationship with Food in Your Child

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Parents Can Foster Healthy Eating Habits in Children

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Nancy Bostock, a pediatrician at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, is deeply concerned about the conflicting messages regarding food that children and parents receive. With her expertise in children’s weight management and mental health, she has co-led the creation of innovative food strategies. For more information, visit Cambridge Children’s Hospital.

“I worry that parents may feel overwhelmed by advice from various sources, leading them to adopt practices that might not serve their children’s best interests,” Bostock explains. In her interview with New Scientist, she shares six straightforward, science-based strategies to help children cultivate a healthy relationship with food.

1. Emphasize the Social and Emotional Dimensions of Eating

Eating, parenting, and anxiety are intertwined. This can manifest early in life. Some families experience food insecurity shortly after the birth of a child, pressuring parents to breastfeed. While breastfeeding is undoubtedly beneficial, it is also crucial for the mother’s mental health. Common early-life challenges such as hypoglycemia and jaundice can induce parental guilt over inadequate nourishment.

This stress often leads parents to excessively monitor their children’s eating habits, overshadowing the fundamental relationship between children and food. Remember, most children will eat when hungry and drink when thirsty.

Many parents fret about whether their children drink enough water. However, as long as your child is thriving, there’s no need to constantly check their hydration levels. Trust your child’s instincts.

Additionally, consider the social dynamics of family meals. Reflect on mealtime experiences: do you all eat together? Are meals enjoyable and relaxed? Foster a positive and communal atmosphere surrounding food.

2. Avoid Saying, “I Can’t Eat the Dessert Until I Finish My Dinner.”

Allowing children to regulate their own appetite fosters healthier eating habits as they grow. Minimize parental interference: promote that food is a source of nourishment and energy, and let your child understand their bodily needs.

Statements like “you can’t have dessert until finishing dinner” can lead to unhealthy binge eating. If dessert is always sweet and rich, children might favor less nutritious foods over time, sending a negative message about enjoying food. Instead, serve dinner followed by fruit if desired.

3. Refrain from Imposing Unnecessary Dietary Restrictions

Amidst abundant dietary advice, parents often seek guidance from nutritionists or behavioral specialists to manage children’s eating habits. However, many recommendations to restrict particular foods lack medical foundation. For instance, enforcing a gluten-free diet without celiac disease could have negative effects, including fiber loss and nutrient deficiencies.

Moreover, outright banning certain foods can create a perception of them being “unsafe.” Research suggests that a healthier approach is to prioritize the intake of nutrient-rich foods—fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—over eliminating food groups.

4. Prevent Children from Using Food for Manipulation

Parents often worry about their children’s eating habits or how their behavior might change if they don’t eat enough. Kids quickly pick up on their parents’ concerns and may manipulate situations with food. Phrases like “If I don’t have ice cream right now, I’ll be sad” can escalate the situation and, if parents give in, this only reinforces bad behavior. Instead, communicate that eating is for energy and health, not a bargaining tool. Offer choices without pressure, like fruit or yogurt if they don’t want the main meal.

5. Recognize That Likes and Dislikes Are Normal

It’s normal for children to become picky eaters as they develop. Research shows that a significant percentage of preschoolers exhibit selective eating behaviors. This phase helps children differentiate safe from unsafe foods. Rather than imposing restrictions, present new foods without pressure; studies suggest children typically need about 15 positive exposures to a new food before accepting it.

While it’s essential to avoid foods known to cause allergies, continued exposure to a range of foods is crucial for health, environmental sustainability, and diverse life experiences. Offer variety and understand that tolerance can precede acceptance.

6. Reflect on Your Own Eating Behaviors

Children mirror their parents’ attitudes and beliefs about food. It’s vital to model healthy perspectives. If you express negativity about your body or weight, children may internalize similar thoughts. Evidence shows kids often adopt their parents’ biases. Hence, the best way to nurture a positive relationship with food and body image in your child is to cultivate one in yourself.

As narrated by Helen Thomson

If your child’s diet is excessively restricted, or if they are not growing or gaining weight appropriately, please consult a healthcare professional.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

A Minor Adjustment to the “For You” Algorithm Can Rapidly Foster Political Polarization.

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Studies indicate that altering the tone of posts on X can escalate political polarization within just a week, a shift that traditionally would have taken about three years.

An innovative study examining the impact of Elon Musk’s social media platforms on political polarization discovered that even minor increases in posts featuring anti-democratic sentiments or partisan aggression led to a marked rise in negative sentiments toward the opposing political faction among Democrats and Republicans.


The level of division, termed “emotional polarization,” reached in just one week due to the modifications made to the feeds of a specific number of X users equated to what would typically take an average of three years from 1978 to 2020.

Most of the over 1,000 participants in the experiment during the 2024 U.S. presidential election remained unaware of the changes in the tone of their feeds.

The campaign featured divisive viral content on X, including a fake image of Kamala Harris with Jeffrey Epstein and an AI-generated depiction from an image Musk posted showing Harris as a communist dictator, which garnered 84 million views.

Researchers observed that consistent exposure to posts reflecting anti-democratic views or partisan animosity significantly affected users’ feelings towards polarization, inducing heightened emotions of sadness and anger.

Musk acquired Twitter in 2022, rebranded it as X, and introduced a “for you” feed that presented content aimed at maximizing user engagement rather than just displaying posts from accounts that users actively follow.

The finding that increasing anti-democratic content heightens hostility towards political adversaries underscores the “power of algorithms,” noted Martin Savesky, an assistant professor at the University of Washington’s School of Information and a co-author of the study alongside colleagues from Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, and Northeastern University. This research is published in Science magazine.

“While the adjustments in users’ feeds were subtle, they reported marked changes in their sentiments toward others,” explained Tiziano Picardi, an assistant professor in the Johns Hopkins University School of Computer Science and co-author of the study. “These shifts align with approximately three years of polarization trends seen in the U.S.”

The study also indicated that even slight alterations in users’ feed content could substantially diminish political hostility between Republicans and Democrats, implying that X could foster political unity if Musk opts to implement such changes.

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“The intriguing aspect of these findings is that platforms can implement measures to mitigate polarization,” added Savesky. “This offers a new perspective for algorithm design.”

Mr. X was reached out for comment.

According to Pew Research, eight in ten American adults believe there’s an inability among Republicans and Democrats to agree on not only policies, but also on fundamental facts. Additionally, over half the British population perceives political differences as dangerously divisive, as revealed by a recent Ipsos poll.

The evolution of political polarization caused by exposure to posts on X was evaluated using an innovative methodology. Initially, researchers utilized AI to analyze posts in X’s “for you” feed in real time. The findings indicated that some groups were exposed to more divisive content while others faced less, demonstrating X’s predominant influence. Divisive posts included support for undemocratic practices, partisan violence, a lack of bipartisan consensus, and skewed interpretations of politicized facts.

After a week of reading these subtly modified feeds, researchers prompted users to evaluate their political opponents’ warmth or coldness, favorability or unfavorability. Changes in “emotional deflection” were rated at two degrees or higher on a scale from 0 to 100 on a “feeling thermometer.” This level of increase in polarization matched the typical trend observed in the U.S. over the past four decades leading to 2020. Conversely, reducing posts with anti-democratic views and partisan hostility led to a corresponding decline in political polarization.

Social media platforms have long faced criticism for amplifying divisive content to boost user engagement and thereby increase advertising revenue. Nevertheless, the study revealed that when divisive posts were deprioritized, users tended to like and share more frequently, despite a slight decrease in overall engagement in terms of time spent on the platform and posts viewed.

“The effectiveness of this approach illustrates its potential for integration into social media AI, aimed at mitigating detrimental personal and societal impacts,” the authors argue. “Simultaneously, our engagement analysis indicates a notable trade-off; implementing such measures could decrease short-term engagement levels, posing challenges to engagement-driven business models, supporting the idea that content that elicits strong reactions tends to generate more engagement.”

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How FEMA’s Outdated Flood Maps Foster Risk-Negotiable Systems

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Lamer noted that detailed analyses and FEMA’s approximate maps can often exaggerate flood risk, which tends to be what clients typically seek.

“I was asked, ‘Please prove we aren’t in the flood plain.’ We’re working 30 feet above the river,” Lamer shared regarding FEMA’s initial mapping. “That’s the flaw in these maps.”

It’s a nationwide practice to adjust FEMA maps both before and after they are officially confirmed.

Syracuse Professor Prall, who has researched flood policy, alongside academic Devin Lee, analyzed five years of data on modifying the FEMA map. They found over 20,000 buildings in 255 counties across the U.S. were remapped outside special flood hazard zones from 2013 to 2017 via various appeal processes. Despite this, more than 700,000 buildings remain within the special hazard flood areas in those counties.

According to Prall, the agency has approved the majority of map revisions, with Lamer, who has processed hundreds of applications, noting only one rejection. Thus, achieving a 92% success rate with the Camp Mystic exemption is actually standard.

“If it’s not likely to be approved, we won’t submit it,” Lamer remarked. There’s little financial motivation for clients to pursue the process further unless the data demonstrates reduced flood risks compared to FEMA’s findings.

FEMA’s high-risk flood zones often expand after agents finalize new maps; however, property owners and communities can subsequently mitigate those zones.

A study by Pralle and Lee in their work, Risks of Public Policy, Crisis, reveals that alterations to special flood hazard zones are increasingly frequent.

Their research indicates that the appeal system presents consistent incentives for decreasing federal flood map designations.

“FEMA lacks the resources to double-check everything,” Prall stated.

A FEMA spokesperson mentioned that the agency reviewed the Camp Mystic case and submitted elevation data following its protocol, asserting that the approval of the amendment “will not significantly alter the reality of flood risks and dangers.”

Storms like those that have impacted Camp Mystic are projected to occur more frequently in a warming world. To address existing knowledge gaps, independent organizations are creating data-driven tools for better predicting heightened heavy rain risks.

For instance, First Street utilizes a global climate model to anticipate extreme weather events and integrate this data into risk maps. The firm provides information and analysis notably to individuals, banks, investors, governments, and more.

The national analysis revealed that more than twice as many buildings fell within the 100-year flood plain when compared to FEMA’s mapping. Porter noted that this inconsistency stemmed from heavy precipitation risks that FEMA maps failed to capture.

The company’s 100 Years of Flood Zone mapping for Camp Mystic indicates that events like this will impact both old and new campsites. In certain locations, flood zones extend beyond both Hewitt and the FEMA’s unenforced 100-year flood plain, while in other spots, they are much narrower and closer to the engineering work of Hewitt.

Steubing from the flood plains association mentioned that indications suggest the July 4 flood was anticipated to be the first significant event in 800 years, but emphasized that more assessments are necessary, as some engineering firms continue to evaluate the flood’s extent. It’s still unclear how accurately the flooding corresponds to various risk maps.

While First Street’s mapping includes climate risks, it too has its limitations, lacking the detailed river analyses completed by Hewitt.

“I don’t have boots on the ground,” Porter remarked.

In an ideal scenario, flood mapping would merge comprehensive ground engineering, current rainfall and river flow data alongside forecasts of future climate risks. According to Steubing, flood plain managers need more adaptive tools to represent different flood scenarios accurately. These should differentiate between rapid surface run-offs and slow, sustained storms, ultimately leading to better risk assessment for individual communities.

Texas is working to address various historical data gaps to move toward this goal, Steubing explained.

However, many regions, including some near Camp Mystic, have never been thoroughly studied or mapped.

To fill these gaps, the state is funding a new FEMA program called Basic Level Engineering. This initiative aims to estimate basic flood levels in under-researched areas using high-resolution LIDAR data and contemporary modeling techniques. The new mapping is intended to complement existing FEMA maps rather than replace them, and the updated mapping is now accessible statewide, including regions near Camp Mystic, representing an advancement that will aid in mitigating future disasters.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Deep Sleep Appears to Foster More Eureka Moments

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A nap may enhance problem-solving abilities

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A deep nap could improve one’s capacity for creative problem-solving.

A recent study revealed that individuals are more likely to experience a “Eureka” moment after entering the second stage of sleep—characterized by slower brain activity and bursts of electrical discharges known as sleep spindles—compared to those who have light sleep.

The results suggest that brief, deep naps can lead to valuable insights. Annika Rowe from the Max Planck Institute in Berlin notes, “We are uncovering what actually occurs during sleep, which I believe is quite beneficial.” She added, “During deep sleep, our brains may process irrelevant information related to the problem, enabling us to have these insightful moments upon waking.”

While previous research highlights that naps can enhance creativity and problem-solving, opinions vary regarding which sleep stages are most beneficial. Some argue that the lightest non-REM stage, N1, is best—citing how Thomas Edison embraced ideas while holding a steel ball that would audibly drop, waking him from deeper slumber. In contrast, some studies advocate that deeper N2 sleep (even lighter N3) fosters greater innovation.

To explore this further, Löwe and her team engaged 90 healthy participants aged 18-35 in a task where they classified the movement direction of rapidly flashing dot patterns on a screen, without informing them that the dot colors would gradually hint at correct answers.

Fifteen participants chose shortcuts in the first 25 minutes, while the remaining 75 were invited to take a 20-minute nap in a quiet setting, monitoring their brain activity with an EEG.

After napping, participants revisited the task. This time, most recognized color-based shortcuts, although the likelihood of a “Eureka” moment appeared to hinge on having napped. Among the 68 participants yielding quality EEG data, 85.7% who entered deeper N2 sleep recognized shortcuts.

This research distinctly illustrates that deeper sleep can trigger “Eureka” moments—at least for the specific task used. Itamar Rana from the University of Texas, San Antonio states, “The task type heavily influences whether sleep enhances performance.” ”

Delphine Oudiette from the Paris Brain Institute mentions that varying task designs might explain their findings of significant problem-solving post N1 sleep. “Both sleep stages could be significant, but different cognitive processes may necessitate isolation for a clearer understanding,” she points out.

Björn Rasch at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland notes that the findings support the notion that deeper sleep aids problem-solving, but cautions that the study’s design complicates distinguishing between causation and coincidence. Participants were not randomly assigned to sleep stages and were not studied across various sleep scenarios; thus, those who napped comfortably might simply possess a higher insight capacity.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How Can You Improve Your Mindset and Foster Positivity?

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The term “thinking” might evoke memories of certain self-help literature that lacks scientific basis. Yet, emerging studies indicate that our cognitive patterns can significantly shape our lives through their effects on our thoughts, motivation, and behaviors.

This article is part of a special feature that explores how experts perceive some of the most unexpected scientific ideas. Click here for more information.

“We perceive thinking as a belief system regarding how the world operates, which includes our thoughts about ourselves and our surroundings,” states David Jager from the University of Texas at Austin.

Initially popularized by Carol Dweck at Stanford University, this concept emerged from her interest in how beliefs about intelligence affect academic performance.

Some individuals strongly agree with statements in psychological surveys, such as “Your intelligence is fundamentally fixed and does not change significantly.” Such individuals are characterized as having a “fixed mindset.” Conversely, those who resonate more with statements like, “Your intelligence can change significantly throughout your life,” are viewed as having a “growth mindset.”

Dweck’s research demonstrated that individuals with a growth mindset are more likely to persevere after setbacks and embrace challenges beyond their comfort zones.

Crucially, Dweck and her team found that mindset is flexible. For instance, educating individuals about the brain’s inherent plasticity can foster a growth mindset, as shown in this research. Although some replication attempts showed mixed results, the overall effect seems to hold up under varying contexts.

“Interventions are typically more effective when educators cultivate a growth mindset within a nurturing school culture,” Jager explains. I have led several studies in this area.

Building on Dweck’s groundwork, psychologists are uncovering various concepts that could positively influence our well-being and success. At Stanford, Aria Crum has been researching “mindsets regarding stress.” Those who perceive stress as energizing are often better equipped to handle life’s demands compared to those who view stress as debilitating.

Crum likens our mindset to a “lens” that influences our worldview; recent studies indicate that these lenses may have long-term health implications. For instance, research on first responders has shown that individuals who interpret stress as beneficial possess a lower risk of heart disease, regardless of their overall stress levels.

Integrating growth and stress-affirming mindsets can amplify the benefits of both. In a series of studies released in 2022, Yeager revealed that teaching students a “synergistic mindset” improved both mental health and academic achievement. “These two perspectives complement each other,” Jager notes. “They shape your beliefs.”

However, it’s crucial to understand that mindset research is sometimes misinterpreted. The researchers do not advocate the notion that positive thinking can yield miraculous outcomes. “To clarify, the growth mindset does not suggest that someone with the right mindset and education can become an Einstein or Beethoven,” Dweck writes in her book, Thinking: The New Psychology of Success, “rather, it implies that an individual’s true potential is unknown and not fixed.”

Fostering a growth mindset shouldn’t merely be about offering constant praise for every effort. It often requires establishing high expectations. “This may involve difficult conversations, but it’s also about guiding someone to meet those standards,” asserts Jager. “It can be challenging.”

Thus, unlike self-help advocates, a positive mindset won’t promise instant wealth. However, it prepares us to exert the effort needed to reach our aspirations and navigate the emotional hurdles along the journey.

Explore additional stories in this series through the links below:

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Research Reveals: Africa’s Stunning Starry Skies Foster Bonds of Friendship

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Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus) Recent studies reveal their behavior of “reciprocity,” where they assist each other with the expectation of future favors.

The Superb Starling is a passerine bird belonging to the Sturnidae family.

This species is widespread, inhabiting various regions in East Africa, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and beyond.

These birds form large mixed groups consisting of 7 to 60 individuals, with an average size ranging from 13 to 41 members.

“The social structure of Starlings is complex, comprising not only family units but also a mix of both related and unrelated individuals, much like humans.”

“It’s well-known that animals tend to assist their relatives to enhance genetic fitness and propagate their genes.”

“While Starlings prioritize helping relatives, they also lend support to unrelated individuals.”

Professor Rubenstein and his team discovered that this support arises through the establishment of mutual relationships.

However, proving that such behaviors are present in non-relatives remains challenging.

The study is rooted in two decades of research by the authors on these birds in Africa, thriving in the harsh savannah climate.

From 2002 to 2021, thousands of interactions among hundreds of birds were documented, alongside DNA samples to analyse genetic links.

By merging behavioral data with genetic information during 40 breeding seasons, they posed pivotal questions: Did birds prioritize aiding relatives? Did they assist non-relatives when related individuals were available? Did they reciprocate support over time?

Ultimately, the findings revealed that while helpers prioritized their relatives, they often supported specific unrelated individuals consistently, even when relatives could assist.

“Many of these birds forge friendships that develop over time,” Professor Rubenstein stated.

“Our next goal is to investigate how these relationships are formed, their longevity, and why some bonds remain strong while others diminish.”

The study was published today in the journal Nature.

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Advertising et al. The enigmatic role of mutual assistance among birds in cooperative breeding. Nature Published online on May 7, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08958-4

Source: www.sci.news

Utilizing Urban Waste to Foster Urban Agriculture

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Cities produce a lot of waste. What we consider to be biodegradable or compostable materials is Organic waste. Remaining food scraps, fallen trees, and cow poop are all examples of organic waste. When organic waste breaks down in landfills, it releases called greenhouse gases methane. Methane traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. To reduce methane emissions, urban areas like Chicago, Illinois are trying to divert organic waste from landfills.

One way scientists have proposed to deflect organic waste is to use it as fertilizer on urban farms. Organic waste is a good potential fertilizer as it contains nutrients like nitrogen and carbon that the plant needs to grow. Researchers suggest that using organic waste on urban farms will allow cities to reuse waste and reduce chemical or mineral fertilizers.

Soil microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi break down organic materials for energy, making nutrients available to plants and other organisms in the process. Scientists should see the community of various microorganisms in the soil Soil microbiota. Because all microorganisms require energy, the soil microbiota is shaped by different energy sources in the soil. For example, some microorganisms prefer to get energy from sugar in plant materials, while others prefer to use the nitrogen found in animal fertilizers.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis and University of Wisconsin Madison wanted to know whether adding organic waste mixtures to the soil could alter the soil microbiome and improve crop growth compared to traditional mineral fertilizers. They produced four mixtures of organic waste collected in San Francisco, California. One was a liquid mixture of expired supermarket produce, one was food scrap compost, one was a mixture of plant-eating animal poop at a nearby zoo, and one was a dead plant-like garden compost. Researchers also included a control mixture, called nitrogen compounds, which contain the main ingredients of mineral fertilizers.

The researchers hypothesized that adding organic waste to the soil would increase the number and diversity of soil microorganisms compared to mineral fertilizers. They tested their hypothesis by cultivating tomato plants in greenhouse experiments. They applied a mixture of organic waste to the soil of local urban farms and placed the soil in a pot with tomato seedlings.

Researchers grew tomato plants for 75 days, then harvested and sampled the soil microbiota. They used a process of identifying microorganisms based on DNA. 16S rRNA Sequence. They measured the amount of carbon in bacterial and fungal cells.

The team found that soil treated with liquid food waste and animal poop had 127% and 120% more microorganisms than soil treated with urea. They discovered that microbial identity has also changed. For example, three of the four soils with organic waste mixtures contain more carbon cycling microorganisms; planutomyceota Bacteria than soil with urea. They concluded that the organic waste mixture maintained or improved the soil microbiota.

However, the researchers were surprised that the organic waste mixture did not change the microbial diversity or amount of microorganisms involved in soil nitrogen cycling. The team suggested that microbial diversity could still increase if the soil is fertilized for a long period.

The team then looked into the tomato plants. They determined the quality of the plant by measuring the height and weight of the plant, as well as the number and size of tomato fruit. They also analyzed the taste of tomatoes by measuring the soluble sugars of the fruit. They found that plants treated with organic waste had 15% to 75% smaller and 15% to 65% lower fruit yields than plants treated with urea. However, the tomatoes were all the same size, and some plants grown with organic waste had tomatoes with better taste. Researchers agreed that organic waste mixtures can improve the quality of certain crops, such as fruit taste, but further research is needed.

The team concluded that organic waste mixtures can support the healthy microbiota of urban agricultural soils. They proposed that farmers could use organic fertilizers as an alternative to mineral fertilizers such as urea. They suggested that reusing local waste would help bring more fresh food to urban communities.


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Source: sciworthy.com