Mothers underestimate the influence on their Kids weight

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

Here are some of the results of the study, carried out by HealthyWomen.

Not surprisingly most of the respondents know that obesity leads to an increased risk of 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 an overall obesity affects a child's risk of becoming obese, only 28% assign this responsibility to themselves. Only 11% of the respondents by a child's risk of becoming obese more than doubles if the mother is overweight in its first quarter of the pregnancy.

Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, CEO of HealthyWomen says this:

children from an early age, have a tendency to eat the same food as their parents, especially mothers, so the exposure of nutritious foods, like fruits and vegetables is not only a good model, but also place your child on a lifelong course of good health. source

education is the key to change, but knowledge is the only power, if you choose to use it.To be sure begins the prevention of childhood obesity and healthy children home with both parents (if there are 2 parents involved).

It is obvious that MOM and dad must change their ways to be healthy role models for children.

While growing healthy habits in children starts at home, it would be foolish 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. culture and the environment, children are exposed to today, which sets them up for failure. Change needs to take place in communities, schools, and different levels of governance, particularly for higher risk children.

Battaglino Cahill summarizes it nicely when she says;

Strengths and educating women is the best way we know to break the obesity and promote healthy life habits of every woman and her loved ones.

Image credit: mikebaird

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