Parents have a strong influence on the eating and exercise habits of their children. The nature of that influence is largely determined by three factors: Parental dietary and exercise behaviors, family resources and the family dynamics that define the emotional relationship between parent and child.
Parental Habits
Children who are overweight often have overweight parents, according to a 2008 study conducted by Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. Therefore, it is recommended that physicians include parents when prescribing weight-loss programs for children.
Recognition
In a two-year pilot study by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, parents of overweight children ages 3 to 5 demonstrated through a questionnaire a lack of awareness about the weight problems. Parents of overweight children ages 8 to 12, however, demonstrated a more acute awareness of their child's weight problems, particularly for girls.
Attitudes
Parents of overweight children often experience negative attitudes, including disappointment and anxiety, according to researchers at the University of New Mexico. That disappointment is believed to be the result of the parent's perception that their child is not meeting particular ideals. Anxiety can arise when a parent is aware their overweight child is being ostracized because of a weight problem.
Lack of Resources
Poverty and weight problems often go hand-in-hand. Low-income families commonly lack access to the resources--such as fitness centers and parks--and time that make healthy lifestyles possible (see Resources). It is also cheaper to feed a family a high-carbohydrate diet, another contributor to weight problems in low-income households.
History and Background
Children from minority groups, and/or who have a family history of obesity are at greater risk for developing a weight problem. It is estimated that 25 to 40 percent of children with a family history of overweight will inherit a tendency to be overweight (See Resources).
References
- The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine: The Importance of Parent Weight and Attitudes about Overweight
- Annals of Family Medicine: Establishing a Family-Based Intervention for Overweight Children in Pediatric Practice
- New Mexico State University: Parents' Feelings About Overweight Children
Member Comments