In Brief

By Lisa McLaughlin

NOT EATING FOR TWO A report in the International Journal of Eating Disorders estimates that as many as a third of women with an eating disorder will continue their unhealthy habits during pregnancy. Restricted food intake is associated with a higher rate of miscarriage and doubles the chances of birth defects. It also increases the mother's risk of osteoporosis later in life, as the nutrient-deprived fetus leeches calcium from her body during the pregnancy.

SIBLING VIOLENCE Child abusers are usually assumed to be parents attacking their kids, but each year more than 36 million acts of physical, emotional or sexual abuse are committed by an elder brother or sister. Sibling violence is the most common form of family violence, but it often goes undetected by authorities or is dismissed by parents as sibling rivalry. Parents should take complaints seriously, pay close attention to see if one child is always the victim of another, and seek professional help if needed.

FORGONE FAIRY TALES Once upon a time, parents and children read together every night. But family reading time is an increasingly rare commodity. In a British study, 60% of parents said they do not have time to read to their children; the number who honor the tradition of reading a nightly bedtime story has plummeted from 93% to 40% in a single generation. Experts say reading rituals are key to a child's emotional and educational development.

--By Lisa McLaughlin