The Link Between Children's Obesity & Parents' Eating & Exercise Habits

Childhood obesity is a result of excess calorie consumption combined with low levels of daily physical activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Your family history and genetics may play a role in your child's risk for obesity early in life that can carry into adulthood. Negative lifestyle choices including poor eating and exercise behaviors learned in childhood can influence obesity risk, but preventive strategies can help combat obesity at all ages.

Genetics

The Centers for Disease Control reports that "energy-thrifty genetics" that once helped during times of famine may be the culprit related to increasing childhood obesity rates. These genes are being challenged in today's cultures where food is plentiful and survival is not threatened. Researchers from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom summarized that family members, especially twins, can share common genes and single-gene disorders that contribute to fat accumulation and influence obesity.

Eating Behaviors

Parents may pass on learned eating behaviors to their kids that may promote obesity. Making sugary drinks and high-fat snack foods available at home can encourage your child to favor convenience foods over whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Allowing your child to eat while watching TV, using food as a reward or offering food to relieve boredom can result in excess calorie consumption that influences obesity, according to the Clemson Cooperative Extension.

Physical Activity

In an article published in the "American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine" in 2010, researchers discussed the positive influence adults have on encouraging children to be physically active. Children who have supportive relationships are able to perform activities they enjoy -- and feel competent in participating in those activities -- are more likely to sustain a physically active lifestyle into adulthood. Home, school and community environments that encourage various forms of physical activity can also help prevent childhood obesity.

Suggestions

Incorporate ways to make healthy eating and physical activity a regular part of family life to reduce your child's risk for obesity. Allow your child to be a part of meal preparation like choosing and preparing healthy foods. Provide fruits and vegetables as snacks and replace sugary drinks with water. Limit desserts and high-calorie snack foods to infrequent occasions. Replace eating out for entertainment with recreational activities your child enjoys and can perform.