Parents may be one of the missing links in childhood obesity. A new study, reported January 25, 2011, claims that parents who understand more about healthy eating and fitness have children who are better able to lose weight and keep it off. As the rates of childhood obesity continue to increase, many researchers are looking for ways they can decrease the risk in children.
About The Study
Anthea Magarey, a senior research associate of nutrition and dietetics, at Flinders University School of Medicine in Adelaide, Australia, lead the study in Australia. The parents of 169 moderately obese or overweight children aged 5 to 9 years were tracked for six months as they attempted to lose weight and improve health. Half of the parents took classes during the period which taught them about healthy eating, setting limits, and portion control.
After six months, each child's body mass index (BMI) was calculated. They were also weighed again eighteen months after the study to see how well they continued to keep their weight under control. The children who had parents in the class managed to lose 10 percent of their BMI and these children were able to maintain weight loss at better rates than those whose parents did not attend the healthy eating classes.
The Risks of Childhood Obesity
In the US, 17 percent of children aged 2-19 are considered obese. Among young children, 24 percent are overweight according to their BMI numbers. Higher weights have been linked to health concerns such as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.
There has been a national call in the US to help prevent childhood obesity and reduce these health risks before they begin. Overweight children can grow into overweight adults, who tax the health care system with added care requirements. Preventing obesity before it happens is a simple way to reduce the overall mortality rates and health concerns for the nation.
Causes of Childhood Obesity
There are many factors that are involved in childhood obesity. For some children, it is a genetic disposition that cannot be altered. These children may put on weight at a faster rate, and they may be less able to lose the weight due to the manner in which their bodies function.
Outside concerns can also lead to childhood obesity. Some experts point to diet and exercise as causes for weight gain and inability to lose the weight. Sleep has also been linked to obesity, with children who get little sleep identified as having a higher risk of obesity.
In the battle against childhood obesity, there are obviously many factors involved that need to be looked at. As this study suggests, parents may play a greater role in their children's weight than they realize. Education is always an important part of learning to be healthier overall.
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