Childhood obesity is a nationwide problem that carries many emotional, sociological, and physical risks. Several recent research studies have found a link between child self-discipline and obesity. By teaching children to make healthy choices, as well as serving as a positive role model for healthy eating and decision-making, parents can ensure their children develop good habits and maintain a healthy weight.
About Obesity
Obesity is generally assessed with a BMI (body mass index), an equation of weight to height. To determine BMI, divide your total pounds by your height (in inches) squared or divide your kilograms by your height in meters squared. The National Institutes of Health determines obesity as having a BMI of 25 and above. However, since children develop at different rates, the NIH recommends using BMI tables for children under 20 years of age. BMI tables compare measurements within children of similar age and gender. Parents whose children have a BMI at the upper end of the spectrum may then seek further evaluation by a health care provider.
Discipline and Food
Providing food as rewards for behavior introduces an unhealthy habit that children may maintain later in life. According to the National Network for Child Care, a child who receives a cookie for cleaning may emphasize the cookie over any sense of accomplishment or appreciation. Moreover, the child may negotiate for even more cookies the next time she has accomplished the task.
Teaching Self-Discipline
As children grow, they seek more independence and also validation for their efforts. This provides a good opportunity for parents to introduce age-appropriate decision-making, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). According to the AAP, by learning to reason, act, and re-evaluate, children realize that they can control at least some of the circumstances of their lives. Confident and empowered children can make healthier choices.
Self-Discipline and Obesity
Introduce self-discipline to your child early in her life. A 2009 study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, tracking 1061 children over nine years, found that children who had less ability to self-regulate at ages 3 and 5 were more prone to being overweight in adolescence. Researchers also found rapid, early weight gain in girls to be a marker of early puberty, which carried additional emotional issues that compounded the weight gain.
Delayed Gratification and Obesity
Serve as a positive role model for healthy eating and decision-making. A 2009 study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine studied the impulsiveness of 805 children, considering their BMI and that of their mothers. They found that 47 percent of children had a limited ability to delay gratification and were predisposed to overweight in early adolescence (by age 11). Researchers also found an association between mothers who were overweight and the inability of their children to delay gratification.
Healthy Habits
Provide healthy options from which children can make choices. A 2009 Study in the Journal of Pediatrics followed 197 Caucasian girls for a decade, from age 5 until 15. Researchers noted that girls with lower self-control were twice as likely to be overweight by adolescence. They noted that stocking unhealthy foods and restricting access built exaggerated their enticement and exacerbated the problem. Researchers recommended keeping unhealthy foods out of the home, to enable children to make healthier choices.
References
- Archives and Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine on Obesity and Self-Discipline
- Physorg.com: Research on Early Self-Discipline and Obesity
- University of Michigan Record Online on Studies about Delaying Gratification
- American Academy of Pediatrics on Self-Esteem
- National Network for Child Care on Guidance Discipline in Children
Member Comments