U.S. Trends

Educated white women are most likely to lie about their weight and height.  

While most people often exaggerate their height while diminishing their weight, some of us are more likely to be dishonest than others, says a study that examined how demographics affect self-reports of BMI (Body Mass Index). Whites are more likely to under-report their BMIs (meaning they will report a lower BMI than their true measurement) than blacks or Hispanics, reveals lead study author Ming Wen, PhD., associate professor of sociology at the University of Utah. 

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Baby-faced politicians make better impression on the opposition.

We want opposition leaders to have trustworthy, sweet faces, while we prefer politicians who speak up for us to have more matures visages, says an Israeli study focusing on facial features and political figures. Using computer-manipulated images of a fictitious politician, researchers at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University measured respondents’ reactions to peace offerings from baby-faced Palestinian politicians versus more mature-faced leaders.

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U.S. Census announces new guidelines for poverty; Native Americans particularly at risk.

Expert Q&A

Teri Cardwell, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, a social worker of Cherokee and Shawnee ancestry recently discussed the plight of Native Americans in light of the recent re-assessment of poverty in the United States by the U.S. Census. Cardwell is also on the Board of Directors at the National Association of Social Workers.

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Dilapidated neighborhoods adversely affect babies, even in utero.

Imagine living in a neighborhood where building after building is damaged and crumbling while garbage piles up on the sidewalk. Now imagine being pregnant, knowing you cannot afford to move and your child will grow up in a place with no clean, safe playgrounds on which to play and no flowers to admire on walks.

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