insert_link Lifestyle Helping children eat healthier foods may begin with getting parents to do the same, research suggests Everyone agrees kids should eat healthy foods. But parents are often left out of that message. skynesher/E+ via Getty Images By Kelley Gullo Wight, Indiana University and Peggy Liu, University of Pittsburgh Most parents, educators and policymakers agree that children should eat healthy foods. However, our peer-reviewed paper suggests the strategy adults often use to achieve that can sometimes backfire. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix. We, along with […] today27 March, 2024
insert_link Lifestyle Zulu culture and sexual orientation: South African study reveals the health costs of stigma By Ikekhwa Albert Ikhile, University of South Africa Same-sex relationships are legal in South Africa and protected by the constitution. Unfair discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is against the law. But in practice many cultures don’t necessarily see this as a right. Traditional Zulu culture, for example, perceives same-sex relationships and sexual intercourse as taboo and unAfrican. Statements like “real men are not gay” […] today27 March, 2024
insert_link Lifestyle Exploring the roots of stupidity: first understand the psychology of what lies behind irrational opinions By Manfred Kets de Vries, INSEAD Most people, at one time or another, act foolishly. However, truly ignorant individuals exhibit a lack of introspection and stubbornly cling to their opinions, regardless of how irrational they may be. These people demonstrate unwavering self-assurance and are often oblivious to their own inadequacies. They craft retrospective justifications to validate their beliefs and hold onto them. Even when presented with opportunities […] today27 March, 2024
insert_link Africa Congo and Togo record Africa’s highest increase in happiness levels By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency The Republic of Congo and Togo are amongst the countries that have seen happiness levels amongst their citizens increase the most over the past 12 years. The two African countries are listed among seventeen countries globally that recorded increases in average life evaluations of a full point or more. The World Happiness Report 2024 ranks the Republic of Congo in […] today26 March, 2024
insert_link Lifestyle Parents who believe their children can have a better future are more likely to read and play with them – South African study Both children and parents benefit from daily play and reading activities. iThemba Projects, Author provided By Kendra Thomas, Hope College Every day, a small group of women make their way through the community of Sweetwaters, near the South African city of Pietermaritzburg, with bags of toys and books. They work as home mentors supporting families who signed up for an early childhood development intervention. They swap puzzles and […] today25 March, 2024
insert_link Business / Economics Worried about how to support your child’s education? Here are four useful steps you can take By Benta A. Abuya, African Population and Health Research Center Parents play a crucial role in supporting their children’s learning. Their involvement lays the foundation for success both inside and outside the classroom. This makes a parent’s consistent support and nurturing important at every stage of formal schooling, and even before that. The key lies in creating a supportive and encouraging environment at home. In the school […] today25 March, 2024
insert_link Lifestyle Victoria Larsen to Represent Denmark in Miss Supranational 2024 Pageant in Poland Victoria Larsen's ascension to the role of Miss Supranational Denmark 2024 marks not only a personal triumph but also a significant milestone in the landscape of beauty pageantry. Her journey from a multicultural upbringing to a revered beauty queen embodies a profound commitment to effecting positive change, particularly in the realms of women's empowerment and homelessness. Born on September 8, 2002, in the picturesque city of Roskilde, Denmark, Victoria's heritage […] today25 March, 2024
insert_link Lifestyle Karabo Morule wants more Africans to invest in art For anyone unsure what art to buy or which artist to follow, Karabo Morule is a godsend. At the Investec Cape Town Art Fair in mid-February, while walking a group of patrons - all wearing eye-catching headphones - through the exhibits, she explained the exhibits and at the same time advised her group on which art they should potentially be investing in. “Buying art should be seen as […] today22 March, 2024
insert_link Lifestyle Dehydration: how it happens, what to watch out for, what steps to take By Anastasia Ugwuanyi, University of the Witwatersrand Dehydration is a big issue during unusually hot weather and outbreaks of diseases such as cholera that lead to life-threatening diarrhoea. Anastasia Ugwuanyi is a family physician and clinical educator at the University of the Witwatersrand. We asked her four questions designed to be useful in avoiding or managing dehydration. What causes dehydration? Dehydration can be defined as loss […] today22 March, 2024