Reductions of intimate partner violence resulting from supplementing children with omega-3 fatty acids: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, stratified, parallel-group trial

In this 2018 study, the caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder were compared with caregivers of typically developing children on several health outcomes (including weight status, diet quality, functional health and well-being, and perceived stress related to the parenting role). The authors highlight that caring for children with ASD can be a very demanding role and this responsibility can cause significant stress. The results demonstrated no significant difference between ASD caregivers and typically developing children’s caregivers in body mass index or prevalence of overweight/obesity. When the researchers examined their diets, ASD caregivers were found to consume significantly fewer empty calories (from solid fats, alcohol, and added sugars) than caregivers of typically developing children (TDC). There was no other marked difference in dietary outcomes. However, the ASD caregivers reported notably higher parental stress and total stress than the TDC caregivers. In fact, clinically significant levels of stress were observed in 56% of ASD caregivers, and only 6.7% of TDC caregivers. There was no major difference in functional health or well-being between the two groups. Despite greater levels of stress, ASD caregivers did not differ significantly from TDC caregivers in diet- and health-related outcomes. [NPID: caregivers, stress, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, autism, health, diet, nurses]

While previous studies have indicated a link between obesity and chronic stress in adults, the focus of this 2017 study was the potential association between parental/caregiver stress with obesity in the children/offspring. This present study examined this relationship among Hispanic\Latino populations and investigated whether this connection can be explained by home food environment or child lifestyle. The child participants were aged between 8 and 16 years, and were from the Bronx, Chicago, Miami, and San Diego. Around 22% of the caregivers did not report any chronic stressors, while 48% reported between one and two, and 29% revealed 3 or more stressors. There was a correlation between increased numbers of caregiver stressors with greater incidence of obesity in the children/adolescents. Youths whose caregivers reported ≥3 stressors were more likely to be obese than young people whose caregivers had no stressors. In summary, parental or caregiver chronic stress appears to be related to obesity in their children. [NPID: chronic stress, obesity, caregivers, Latinos, Hispanics, parental stress, parents, adolescents, children, US, USA, Bronx, Miami, Chicago, San Diego]