The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dogs may be good for children’s development
Living in a home with a dog may be linked to healthier psychological development in young children, researchers report.
Australian scientists collected data from 1,646 parents of 3- to 5-year-old boys and girls on various socio-demographic factors — siblings, sleep time, screen time, parents’ level of education, work status and so on. They also gathered information on dog ownership, active play with the dog and family dog walking. And they used a well-validated scale to measure the social and emotional development of the children.
The study, in Pediatric Research, found that after adjusting for other factors, compared to children without dogs, those who had them were about 30% less likely to have conduct problems, 40% less likely to have difficulty relating to peers, and 34% more likely to show pro-social behavior. There was no association of dog ownership with emotional difficulties or hyperactivity.
The senior author, Hayley E. Christian, an associate professor at the University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute, said while the study suggests the benefits of dog ownership start very early in life, this is an observational finding that does not prove cause and effect.
“We are not saying ‘go out and get a dog,’” she said. “That’s a really important decision. Owning a dog comes with responsibilities and costs. But both anecdotal reports and research show that the benefits outweigh the costs.”
Why sunglasses are a must-wear
A good pair of sunglasses is much more than a fashion statement. They are an investment in your health says Dr. Dawn Davis, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist.
They make you stylish and keep you safe.
“It’s a very good investment to have big sunglasses around the eyes.”
The skin around the eye is some of the thinnest skin on the body and so it’s more susceptible to damage.
Davis says sunglasses help to prevent skin cancer around the eyes and good shades also guard against vision loss.
“Ultraviolet light can pass through the eye to the lens and cause cataracts,” says Davis. “So, if you wear sunglasses, you decrease your risk over your lifetime of cataract formation.”
Davis says to choose sunglasses that are labeled as having broad spectrum coverage or protection against UVA and UVB rays. Look for the same phrases on the sunglasses you buy for your children.
“We suggest sunglasses on children as early, and as young, as they will wear them.”