Household chaos may be hazardous to a child’s health

Did you know that a chaotic household can cause your children to have poorer health? New research from The Ohio State University (OSU) has found that having a routine is essential for young children to develop and stay healthy. While the study focused on low-income families, lead author of the study, Claire Kamp Dush, believes the findings might apply to children of middle-class families, too. Kamp Dush says, “But most middle-class families can avoid the same level of chaos of your kids being over involved in activities and the parents having to run them from one place to another. This harmful chaos is much more fundamental." Factors measured in the study included how crowded a room was, background noise from the TV, no regular bedtime for the child, and the noise level and cleanliness of the home. Researchers also looked at factors for mothers, such as work schedule and the stress it can cause, along with difficulty finding childcare. TV noise was the most common source of chaos at home, as over 60% of moms in the study said the TV was on for more than five hours each day.

Stone Hearth Newsletters, 10/9/13