A new study has found that the home environment plays a major part in the risk of a child becoming obese. When children grow up in families with bad eating habits - such as skipping breakfast - and sedentary lifestyles dominated by television watching and video games, they are 33 percent more likely to become overweight or obese as young adults. The study, by researchers at the Arizona State University, was presented at the American Sociological Association annual meeting. The study reinforced earlier findings on bad eating habits and sedentary lifestyle. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for weight control," said study author Ashley Fenzl Crossman. "And the amount of time spent in sedentary activities is a strong predictor of weight gain. No surprise." But some of the other findings were a surprise. One of these being, that kids don't need to engage in high levels of physical activity to prevent obesity. Instead, adolescents who have less time to engage in sedentary activities because they are involved in other things - including non-athletic activities such as school clubs, part-time jobs, volunteer work or household chores - are less likely to become overweight.
In addition to poor diet, lack of activity and a sedentary lifestyle, Crossman's study revealed other ways in which parents can influence their children's chances of becoming overweight. Adolescents are more likely to become overweight if their parents are obese. Future research should be done with adopted adolescents to determine what may be genetic or environmental influences within families that have an obese mother or father, remarked Crossman. High self-esteem has a positive influence on body weight, and children whose parents received a higher level of education have a decreased risk of being overweight or obese.
Interestingly, household income was not a significant factor, indicating that is the educational dimension of parents' socioeconomic status that matters most for adolescents' weight status.
Another factor that surprised the researchers is the influence of social bonds. The stronger the social bonds are between parent and child, the more likely the child is to be overweight. Crossman believes this can be attributed to several factors. "The closer children are to their parents, the more likely they are to internalize the values and norms that their parents promote or model. Nearly two-thirds of adults are overweight and 30 percent are obese," she said. "Other reasons might include over eating due to separation anxiety when the child leaves the home, or parents not wanting to criticize their children's eating habits when they are young."
Contrary to other reports, Crossman found no evidence that children who live in single parent or stepparent households are more likely than those who live with two biological or adoptive parents to be overweight or obese as young adults. She also found that race and ethnic differences are insignificant.
"Our research suggests that prevention must begin at home. We need a public health campaign that educates all adults and children in the home on the importance of creating a family environment that promotes healthy habits," concluded Crossman.
