Collegiate research: Working moms, obese kids

The epidemic of youth obesity has grown by over 300 percent since 1980, several studies suggest. Now a link may have been detected by an American University professor between overweight children and moms who work a great deal of the time away from home. As mothers’ job hours increased, the average body mass index (BMI) tended to by higher, in accordance with the study. This is even without people obtaining pay day loans to purchase their food. Source for this article – Working mothers have more obese kids, says study by MoneyBlogNewz.

How obesity connects

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

The connection between employment of a mother and a children's BMI was not explained by the children's physical activity levels or even TV time. Researchers were confused when even the time of day a mother worked did not make a difference in the Body Mass Index level.

Mostly preparing food time

Morrissey and team noticed that working parents do not shop or prepare food due to time constrictions. You will find more calories typically in pre-prepared foods and when eating out. That means that these kids were getting more of these meals.

Fixing the issue

Prof. Morrissey believes something needs to change considering behavior problems and obesity-related illnesses like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol can be brought on by childhood obesity. It may also trigger a lesser life expectancy which could be up to five years the Children's Hospital in Boston concluded in a study. Expanding the availability of healthy, affordable food is paramount to a healthier society.

"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