Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Jennifer Pellegrini: After a Wild Week of News, Two Stories You Might…
-
Rev. Susan Baller-Shepard: Wild And Precious Lives: Godspeed…
Children Chubbier When Watched by Grandparents, Study Shows
Filed under: In The News, Research Reveals: Toddlers & Preschoolers
Should grandparents be more careful about their grandkids' diets? Credit: Getty Images
Young children are more likely to be overweight if they are cared for by their grandparents, a British study concludes.
The BBC reports that researchers from University College London analyzed 12,000 children born between 2000 and 2001. The 3-year-olds studied were 34 percent more likely to be overweight if their grandparents cared for them full time.
Children who went to day care centers or other child care providers had no increased risk of weight problems. The results of the study were reported in the International Journal of Obesity.
Researchers also looked at children's socio-economic backgrounds. The heavier children generally came from more affluent families -- with parents who had managerial or professional jobs.
There's the rub. A lot of factors need to be taken into account when looking at the study, says Amy Goyer of the AARP.
For instance, Goyer says, the socio-economic information is important. Parents in managerial positions tend to work longer hours.
"Are they spending the balance time with their children, playing and doing physical activities?" she asks.
Lead researcher Catherine Law tells the BBC the study did not look at specific reasons why children watched by their grandparents are more apt to be overweight.
Law, a professor of public health and epidemiology at University College London, tells the network she nonetheless suspects indulgence of children and lack of physical exercise are among the possible factors.
"Some of the things that might help would be educating the population in general about healthy lifestyles, but also things like avoiding food as a reward and suggestions for building activities into daily life," she tells the BBC.
It might be a bit unfair to point fingers at grandparents, Goyer tells ParentDish. Still, adds the family expert, some grandparents grew up in generations that were told to clean their plates or were offered sweets as rewards for good behavior.
"Maybe some grandparents need to be educated about the role food plays in children's lives," she says.
The problem is not that grandparents are sedentary senior citizens. The average age of a first-time grandparent in the United States is 48, Goyer says. Grandparents of 3-year-olds are likely in their early 50s.
"So if anyone's looking at this and thinking this is old granny in her rocking chair, that's not it," she says.
The important thing to remember, Goyer tells ParentDish, is that grandparents are excellent care providers.
"Grandparents are still the preferred caregivers for parents when the're at work," she says.
Related: Choosing Child Care
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Tips for Leaving Your Kids with the Grandparents
So, you're going out of town and you need someone to take care of your children. How about grandma and grandpa? For parents, grandparents and children… it can be quite an adventure. Here's some words of advice from the experts.
-
Study: Kids Safer When a Grandparent Is Driving
A new study finds children's risk of injury is 50 percent lower when a grandparent is driving, rather than Mom or Dad.
-
Grandparents of Racine Fire Victims Express Gratitude
Shirley and William Scott have been at their daughter's side after the family lost three children in a house fire last week - and the grandparents are thankful to the community as well as firefighters.
-
Grandparents That Are Raising Children
A couple gets married, has children and settles in to raise a family. Then, something goes very wrong. Serious illness, death, drugs, child abuse, and the parents can't – or won't – raise their own children.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 4)
2-17-2010 @ 9:06PM
Leigh said...VERY interesting article. I am not surprised by this statistic, and I think it's due to the generational gap mentioned in this article...nutritional standards were different when today's grandparents were children and even when they were raising their own kids.
Reply
2-18-2010 @ 11:13AM
c8smum said...good grief. when do you think today's grandparents were raised? in the dark ages?
most of us became parents during a time when we were inundated with doctors, nutritionists etc telling us the best way to potty train, feed, nurture our kids. during the 80s there was a thriving business writing books telling us how to parent!
and the financial situation isn't that much different today: many of us had to have both parents working to make ends meet. those of us mom's who stayed home to take care of our babies met with scorn for being 'lazy'. we did without some of the niceties to care for our kids.
so get a grip and keep this all in context. and if you have a loving grandparent to take care of your child, thank you lucky stars. the child is usually better off and think of all the $ you are saving!
2-19-2010 @ 9:02PM
Danielle said...Very interesting thoughts. I have already tried to squelch some of these behaviors with my parents. My brother and I grew up obese. I didn't learn about portion sizes or that you only need one serving until I was much, much older. So when Mom takes care of the kids and it involves food there is always that tiny little bit of worry in the back of my head. Fortunately DH and I are working to stress the importance of a balanced diet and moderation with the kids.
2-18-2010 @ 2:04AM
SKL said..."Maybe some grandparents need to be educated about the role food plays in children's lives," she says.
Huh?
Reply
2-18-2010 @ 12:26PM
AmyG said...What I meant by that comment was that some grandparents who are child care providers for their grandchildren may be in the habit of using food as a reward...certainly not ALL grandparents...but some. It's a common thing - I know it was when I was growing up and I'm 49. Completed a task, cleaned up your toys, created an artistic masterpiece...have a cookie! It happens, and I think setting up food as the reward can set up some bad habits as we grow up. It's not the best "role" for food to play. Not sure my quote communicated my thought clearly.
2-18-2010 @ 2:31PM
Jill said...Duh, exactly! The real problem is not what the children eat, but the fact that most kids plop infront of a TV, video game or computer for hours on end. When I was a kid ( in the dark ages of the 60's) we had soda, we had chips, plus three meals a day. We also played outside from sun up to sun down. Buy your kid a kick ball instead of a plasma tv and you don't have to worry about their weight!
2-18-2010 @ 2:15AM
SKL said...I think the issue is inactivity, notwithstanding the brilliant statements quoted in the article by someone who obviously isn't a grandparent. My mom had most of her kids in her early to mid-20's, and believe me, 50 is a lot different from 25. (And the parents of professionals, who likely waited longer than average to have kids, are likely to be over 50. Mine are in their mid-60s with grandchildren ages 0, 3, 3, 14, and 17.)
When I was a kid, in my own home, I was out of the house nearly all day. There were 5 (mostly boring) channels on the TV and no videos, kids' electronics, etc. Now, my mom spends most of her day sitting in front of her TV or computer, and the time she spends with my kids is pretty much all "screen time." There's no way she's gonna send my kids outside to play if I'm not around to watch them - at least, not until they are much older. That's one of the reasons why my mom doesn't babysit my kids - because she isn't physical ... More ds in her early to mid-20's, and believe me, 50 is a lot different from 25. (And the parents of professionals, who likely waited longer than average to have kids, are likely to be over 50. Mine are in their mid-60s with grandchildren ages 0, 3, 3, 14, and 17.)
When I was a kid, in my own home, I was out of the house nearly all day. There were 5 (mostly boring) channels on the TV and no videos, kids' electronics, etc. Now, my mom spends most of her day sitting in front of her TV or computer, and the time she spends with my kids is pretty much all "screen time." There's no way she's gonna send my kids outside to play if I'm not around to watch them - at least, not until they are much older. That's one of the reasons why my mom doesn't babysit my kids - because she isn't physically up to what a 3-year-old needs.
Yes, grandparents are likely to give grandkids more fatty foods (like they gave their own kids), but that wouldn't be a problem if the kids were active, like we were 40 years ago. I'm sure some grandparents are active and encourage activity, but on average, it's not comparable to what kept their own kids healthy "back in the day."
Reply
2-18-2010 @ 6:59AM
Carolyn said...The problem is not the food, it is the inactivity these days, children need to be outside playing, instead of sitting in front of a video game.
Reply
2-18-2010 @ 7:58AM
diane said...Yes the problem today is tv, video games, staying inside. When we were kids if Mom told us to come inside we were disappointed EVEN at mealtime. We hung out in trees, running, playing games with neighbors. That was a time when we could be kids and was a lot safer. Now you really do have to watch them as KOOKS are rampant.
2-18-2010 @ 7:57AM
Priyanka Narula said...Sometimes giving love and affection can be so harmful for our kids. My mother-in-law is one of the most loving grandparents and I rely on her to take care of both my kids when I am go out for work. After reading this article, I will have to check what my children eat all day. I was checking for more articles of this kind and came across an interesting one written by Dr Arya Sharma. He feels that Grandparent's job is to make their grand children eat. It is definitely not funny though it seems so and all parents must read this to avoid obesity in their kids. His blog's name his Dr Sharma's Obesity Notes.
Reply
2-18-2010 @ 11:12AM
Marianne said...You can check what the grandparents feeds your child and thats great. My mother babysat my son for the2.5 years before he moved to daycare and still occasionally does any extra sitting for us. We have always made sure to find out exactly what she fed him and have tried to provide food that we thought would be a healthy alternative to junk food. If you are worried about what the caregiver gives the child make sure you find out and if you can provide your own food. It helps with keeping track. I included healthy snacks with the meals so that if he got hungry he didnt have to be tempted with candy or sweets.
2-18-2010 @ 7:58AM
diane said...I think MOST children so thrive and benefit from grandparents keeping their grandkids. They are the center of my life. Of course I probably give them THINGS to eat mom and dad might not approve of. However, it's my turn. My parents worked so I was babysat by women whom were wonderful but not my grandparents. I will watch mine as often and cherish EVERY minute.
Reply
2-18-2010 @ 8:14AM
bw said...You can't send your babies, tots, or pre-teens outside to play in any major American city...Not if you want to ever see them again. So...if they go out to play GMa will have to be out there with them with several large body-guards with guns and a guard dog or two. Gma putting to much weight on the kids...Please....Take a look at any American major city high school...the kids are so fat they can barely walk into the class room door...Bad parenting...Bad diet...and no exercise during their day is the reason today's youth is becoming a ton-of-lard..............
Reply
2-18-2010 @ 8:42AM
dugandob said...Then get off your LARD ASS and take them out. What's keeping your butt glued to the sofa? Good Grief why are people so lazy these days, always making excuses about why their kids are lazy or overweight, it's because YOU set the example.
2-18-2010 @ 8:27AM
dugandob said...What a bunch of bull. I don't know how any of you take care of your grandchildren. But I take care of mine and we don't sit around watching TV or playing video games. We take bike rides, go to to the park, museums, we actually walk to the store and take this we carry what we bought home all by ourselves. We go to the Library and yes I actually READ to them. I don't push fast food at them I actually cook their meals, you all remember cooking I'm sure. The stove is that big thing in the kitchen that gets hot when you turn a knob. Yes I know this is OLD school, but it seemed to work with my three wonderful daughters who all were healthy played sports in school, had good GPA, went on to college and now are working parents.
Reply
2-18-2010 @ 3:02PM
Brenda said...dug, THANK YOU FOR YOUR POST! Saved me ALOT of typing!!!
My story to a T except I only have one daughter. She is a teacher and is in college to further her education. And guess what???
She wears a size 8. Skinny little thing she is!
I think this world is LOOKING for ANY excuse to just give our kids to strangers to raise. Why? No one will love them MORE than the grandparents will! (in most cases)
Anyway, thanks again. Glad to know there are STILL people in this world with commom sense! I get so worried some days that there arent many of us left!!! LOL
Brenda
2-18-2010 @ 8:37AM
dugandob said...Well Neesee you sound like a real tool. You want to "PAYBACK" raising your own children. Feed the junk food and teach them to scribble or stamp as you put it everything in the house. SHAME ON YOU. You sound like a wicked old woman who wants her chance at a huge "PAYBACK" Your a grandmother your job is not only to love but to help them learn values that can help them as they grow. I'm 56 years old and proud of it. We are expecting our 3rd grand child and I can't wait to help raise this precious child. Taking her for walks, and bike riding with her, taking her to museums, and reading to her "The Wind and the Willow" Just like I've read to all my girls and both my other grand children. SHAME ON YOU Take a good look in the mirror after you read what you just wrote. Do you really like yourself
Reply
2-18-2010 @ 8:59AM
Terri said...I totally agree with this article because I lived it. My two girls went to live with their paternal grandparents for a year. The oldest was a normal healthy weight. I almost cried when I got my kids back. The oldest had gained about 25 pounds and the 4 year old was a chubby rolly polly little thing. From that point on my oldest, who was 8 at the time has struggled with weight. The 4 year old recovered and is a healthy slim at 12 years old now. They were eating large meals and coco with pet milk every night before bedtime. I was so angry. Even if the kids said they were not hungry she would sit and force feed them until the finished the huge portions of food she had made. I know that generation used to equate health with weight. Since then my mother-in-law has changed her views on obesity. Thankfully.
Terri
Reply
2-18-2010 @ 10:38AM
r said...why werent they with you? someone else is raising your kids and you complain?
2-18-2010 @ 11:35AM
Terri said...r,
You are absolutely right. I was serving my country in Saudia Arabia with the US Air Force. Right after this deployment I got out of the military and have been home with my kids (4 girls) for 10 years. I regret letting my in-laws talk me into leaving the kids down there after I came back from the desert. They should have only been down there for 6 months. I do believe that I have the right to complain. Consistently forcing a child to eat food when they say they are not hungry is a form of abuse. I still have this argument with my own husband. Why don't we believe the kids when they say they are not hungry. I find myself still wanting them to eat more myself but I try to listen when they say they just don't want anymore food.