Children's Health: Childhood concussions impair brain function ♦ Why do chronically lonely teens stay lonely? ♦ Chewing slowly helps prevent excessive weight gain in children

Why do chronically lonely teens stay lonely? For chronically lonely adolescents, even the rare invitation to a social event is likely to be met with suspicion: 'It's not that I'm worthy, I just got lucky,' they'll tell themselves. And when not included in a gathering of peers, the chronically lonely teen will attribute it to some personal flaw. Chronically lonely individuals may respond to social situations in ways that perpetuate rather than reduce their loneliness.

Chewing slowly helps prevent excessive weight gain in children Waiting 30 seconds in between bites of food allows children to realize they're no longer hungry before they overeat -- preventing excessive weight gain.

Childhood concussions impair brain function Pre-adolescent children who have sustained sports-related concussions have impaired brain function two years following injury. Over a million brain injuries are treated annually in the U.S. While organized sports at all levels have implemented safety protocols for preventing and treating head injuries, most pediatric concussions still result from athletic activities.

Candy games stimulate appetite At least once a week, two thirds of all children of primary-school age will play an internet game that was created to draw attention to a brand. Most of these advertisements are for snacks and candy. Only 6% of these children are aware that such advergames are advertisements. In the meantime, such games do affect their behavior.