Research -- StepUp to Learn

Researchers Identify Factors Promoting Physical Activity in Childhood

Researchers Identify Factors Promoting Physical Activity in Childhood

Physical activity plays a major role in children's and young people's health. International studies, however show that physical activity is currently decreasing rather than increasing.

Eating together as a family helps children feel better

Eating together as a family helps children feel better

Children who routinely eat their meals together with their family are more likely to experience long-term physical and mental health benefits, a new study shows

Before-school physical activity program helps improve body weight and overall wellness

Before-school physical activity program helps improve body weight and overall wellness

Children participating in a 12-week, before-school physical activity program experienced improvement in body weight and social/emotional wellness, compared with their classmates who did not participate. 

Getting emotional after failure helps you improve next time, study finds

Getting emotional after failure helps you improve next time, study finds

New research led by a University of Kansas marketing professor has found emotional responses to failure rather than cognitive ones are more effective at improving people's results for the next time they tackle the next related task.

School, health and behavior suffer when children have TV, video games in bedroom

School, health and behavior suffer when children have TV, video games in bedroom

A new Iowa State University study is one of the first to demonstrate the consequences of allowing children to have a TV or video game system in their bedroom.

How Your Child's Weight Affects School Readiness

How Your Child's Weight Affects School Readiness

recent study in Early Childhood Research Quarterly ventures into largely unchartered research territory. While previous research has examined how extra weight may inhibit children’s ability to perform optimally, most studies haven't differentiated between weight classes, such as overweight and obese. Further, there are few studies which examine the performance of underweight students in wealthy countries.

Playing to Raise Happy, Healthy Children

Playing to Raise Happy, Healthy Children

Long gone are the days of playing dress-up, tag, and action figures. Becoming a parent often means losing the ability to play! Yet whimsical free play is crucial to children’s development, according to Nancy O’Conner, the director of the Family Center at Kansas State University. O'Conner, a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist, suggests that in order to raise happy, healthy children, parents may want to relearn how to be a kid again.

Adolescent ADHD Predicts Financial Stress

Adolescent ADHD Predicts Financial Stress

A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics found that adolescent Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a major predictor of physical, mental, and financial stress in adulthood. The researchers conclude that early diagnosis and treatment of adolescent ADHD is crucial in preventing and alleviating the increased difficulties associated in adulthood.