In Brief

By Alain L. Sanders

WEIGHT WOES A study in the journal Pediatrics reveals that being overweight begins to take an emotional toll on adolescents at about the time that peer pressure starts to overtake family influence. At ages 9 and 10, obese and nonobese kids show no difference in self-esteem. But by 13 and 14, overweight youths tend to exhibit lower self-worth, especially white and Hispanic girls. Such youngsters are more likely to drink and smoke too. Experts urge parents to instill good eating habits in kids early and to stress that people don't normally look like models.

HEIGHT OF SUCCESS The long and short of it is that when it comes to human pairing, women prefer taller men. A study of 3,200 men published in the journal Nature shows that married men tend to be taller than bachelors and fathers tend to be taller than non-fathers. The researchers believe that as humans evolved, females began to view a male's stature as an indication of his ability to provide food and protection from enemies.

LOCATION, LOCATION Where is the best place for children to do their homework? According to the latest thinking, it's not in the quietest part of the home but rather where the family computer should already be: in a shared area like a family or dining room. Kids won't feel exiled or isolated in such a place, and parents will be able to keep a casual eye on both homework and computer use. Some of the old homework rules still hold: the area should be one that is reasonably quiet, well lighted, stocked with supplies and TV free.

--By Alain L. Sanders