Mothers Underestimate Influence On Their Kids' Weight

A survey of 1,037 women has uncovered a knowledge gap when it comes to certain weight issues - including their influence on their children's weight.

Here are some of the findings of the survey - conducted by HealthyWomen.

Not surprisingly, most respondents know that obesity leads to an increased risk for health problems, such as high blood pressure (93%), type 2 diabetes (89%), and heart disease (88%).Less than one-third of the women, however, know that obesity is associated with increased risk of colon cancer (26%), gallstones (30%), and breast cancer (23%).While 87% of women believe a parent's obesity affects a child's risk of becoming obese, only 28% assign that responsibility to themselves.Only 11% of respondents know that a child's risk of becoming obese more than doubles if the mother is obese during her first trimester of pregnancy.

Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, Executive Director of HealthyWomen says this:

From an early age, children tend to eat the same foods as their parents, especially mothers, so exposure to nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables is not only setting a good example, but also positioning your child on a lifelong course of good health. Source

Education is central to change, but knowledge is only power if you choose to use it. To be sure, prevention of childhood obesity and healthy children begins at home - with BOTH parents (if there are 2 parents involved).

It goes without saying that mom and dad need to change their ways to become the healthy role-models for children.

While growing healthy habits in children starts at home, it would be folly to put 100% of the responsibility on parents. I firmly believe in the idea that it takes a village to raise a child, and in this case to raise a healthy, active child. The culture and environment children are exposed to nowadays may be one that sets them up for failure. Change needs to take place in communities, schools and various levels of government, especially for higher risk children.

Battaglino Cahill sums it up nicely when she says;

Empowering and educating women is the best way we know to break the cycle of obesity and promote healthy habits for the life of any woman and her loved ones.

Image credit: mikebaird

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