Working moms have more overweight children, says study

Childhood weight problems has tripled over the last 30 years, claim several studies. According to a new research by an American University professor, a common theme among overweight children is working moms who are frequently away from home. As mothers’ job hours increased, the average body mass index (BMI) tended to by higher, according to the study. This is even without people taking out payday cash loans to buy their food.

The obesity link

The January/February issue of the Child Development journal published the youth weight problems research. There were 990 children from 10 cities in the U.S. in grades 3, 5, and 6 looked at. Prof. Taryn Morrissey from American University's Public Administration and Policy department was the founder of the study. It was discovered that a child's Body Mass Index was influenced in a small but cumulative amount by the number of years a working mother worked. Over time, higher BMI can increase the chances of being overweight.

The connection between employment of a mother and a children's BMI was not explained by the children's physical activity amounts or even Television time. The Body Mass Index level didn't correlate with the time of day a mother worked either. Several were left guessing at what was going on.

Not taking the time to cook

With working getting in the way, working parents can't shop and prepare food. That is most likely the cause. You will find more calories typically in pre-prepared foods and when eating out. That means that these children were getting more of these meals.

How to fix it

Behavior problems and weight problems related illnesses like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, along with lesser life expectancy which the Children's Hospital in Boston concluded can be as much as five years, are all what youth weight problems can trigger which is why Prof. Morrissey thinks something needs to be done. It is important to make healthy, affordable food available. Society will become healthier this way.

"Community- and school-based programs offer promise for promoting healthy weight by providing information to children and their families about nutrition and exercise, as well as how to make quick, healthy meals," Morrissey said.

Citations

American University

american.edu/media/news/20110204-Childrens-BMI-May-Rise-Longer-Mothers-Work.cfm

Wiley

wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0009-3920

USA Today

usatoday.com/news/health/2005-03-16-obesity-lifespan_x.htm

Mom, get your kids on the juice. Jack LaLanne would approve.

youtube.com/watch?v=4AEeQZh1s4A