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Higher Obesity Risk for Children Watched by Grandparents
Filed under: Big Kids, Tweens, Teens, Development/Milestones: Babies
As busy working parents with two young children, my wife and I have often considered leaving our kids with their grandparents instead of daycare. When they were really young, it seemed like the rational choice. Our kids would be supervised by loving family members, we would save a lot of money and the time restrictions of daycare would no longer apply.
To the Grandchildren Go the Spoils
After a test run with my in-laws, my wife and I quickly realized the potential perils of this decision. All of our hard work in creating healthier eating habits, sleeping patterns and developing our kids' social acumen (such as using their manners) went out the window. Within a week, our kids transformed into everything we had worked against. The money saved quickly had no meaning.
Obesity Higher in Children under Grandparents' Care
'The Journal of Obesity' recently reported that young children who are regularly cared for by their grandparents are at a greater risk of becoming overweight. The study looked at 12,000 three-year-olds and analyzed their lifestyle behaviours. The researchers found that children cared for by their grandparents full-time had a 34 per cent increased risk of becoming overweight. For kids cared for by their grandparents on a part-time basis, the increased risk was 15 per cent. Overall, the higher risk was directly related to financial status. In support of their hypothesis, the researchers also found that young children who had nannies or went daycare did not have an increased risk of becoming overweight.
The reason for these results is not yet clearly defined, but common sense says that kids under their grandparents care are spoiled with sugary treats and may not play as often, or for as long, as kids at daycare. Once again, daily physical activity plays an integral role in raising a healthy child.
Final Thoughts
Many young parents often neglect to look at the grandparent child-rearing situation from a grandparent's perspective. Very few grandparents have the energy and patience to look after young children for an entire day, five days a week. It's hard enough for us parents to do this, so why should we assume our elderly parents can handle it? In the end, it's better for everyone to let their children be active and interact with other children, the sort of situation that daycare provides. The social development benefits are immeasurable. So, let grandparents enjoy their freedom and fulfill the ultimate grandparent joy - spoiling their grandchildren whenever they visit.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
4-15-2010 @ 4:01AM
yoohoomissblue said...Hmm, interesting to consider. My child's grandparents have very bad eating habits. In fact it was a huge discussion by my children after they stayed there. Grandpa was apparently eating butter right off the knife and my children were disgusted. They talk of it as if it was a nightmarish scene. The grandparents kept saying how they needed to "fatten up" & put more meat on their bones. However, I had been doing much to try to prevent the family obesity for them and their future. Also to avoid heart problems which was an immediate consideration to my one child. The grandparents were completely clueless to that fact. Also we have diabetes hitting them at 3 sides through generations. Of course "little dumplings" are considered cute or perhaps thriving by their day but I see it differently. My children were very nicely pudgie little babies but all by nature through breastmilk and through home processed foods. (steamed with no additives) I had them choosing vegetables off trays rather than cookies and squares. They actually love veggies now and won't avoid them. I was raised differently. I can't really say it was wrong but today we know differently from back then. If we can skip the butter, we do so. Trying to get kids to avoid sweets is very difficult. Especially considering all of the other kids that are feasting on cookies and candy within their vacinity.. Let alone grandparents likely encourage that. The old fashion rule is "Spoil the child while you have them , then send them back". As generations increase, so do the inherited diseases and disorders. Unless the next generation makes a big change for prevention. However, can you really say that kids are less fat due to a babysitter or nannies care? I stand to disagree. I have heard of cases that children were not being properly fed while with a nanny or babysitter. There are a few reasons for that. One reason being that sometimes kids don't like to eat if they have separation anxiety or are distracted by other kids who just want to run and play. Another reason being "cutbacks". I think some babysitters just don't supply if they consider that expense comes from their pocket. Plus another thing being negligence. Some just leave the child sitting in a carseat or highchair. I had one person tell me once that they thought the babysitter was stealing their child's formula and giving it to their own child. I had another person tell me that they were marking their bags inside the bottle just to be sure the kids were being fed. The kids were appearing overly hungry as they were picked up for home later.
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4-15-2010 @ 2:23PM
dmom said...As a mom and a babysitter provider I kind of take exception to this article, and surely the comment of miss blue.
I think it is Grandparents right to spoil however if they're providing daycare for you, first, thank your lucky stars, second perhaps with all that money you're saving you could sign your kids up for some physical activities. Swimming lessons, ballet, karate, gymnastics etc. Your parents can take the kids there, getting a bit of a break themselves, and the kids get to work off some of the treats. Second, I think this article makes very broad statments and for as many "bad" grandparents there are there are MANY more good ones. Same for daycare providers.
It is up to parents to decide how their kids are treated in a day, it is up to you to decide if Grandparents are good enough if you can't find daycare you like (and it can be hard) or if the daycare you've found is great and gives the Grand's a chance to relax.
As is the case these days blame is being put everywhere but on the person who deserves it. If you have a daycare where your kids are being neglected and sat in a high chair all day, it's your fault for not screening properly. And hey, a good daycare provider will take pictures. Firstly because she loves the kids like her own and wants to have the pictures for when they've grown and moved on and second to show the parents, hey look how much fun your kids are having. If you never see a picture, and you're kids aren't looking happy at the end of the day, keep looking.
There are great ways to have practical conversations with grandparens and there are articles all over the www with questions to ask a new daycare provider.
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4-17-2010 @ 5:17PM
Wendy Twigge said...As a grandparent and a former daycare provider for 100's of children over the years I also take exception to the previous comment. My children look forward to their children spending their daycare time with me and my husband. We have outings to the pool, to the zoo, and to the park, my grandson eats better for me than his parents and is only allowed healthy choices with the occasional treat. Unlike his cousin who is in a daycare situation he is very seldom ill and when he is it is after a visit to his cousin's home. We do crafts, play games, and have quality time together three days a week. Some parents go too far in their health kick and instead create more problems with not enough, sodium and fats in a child's diet. Common sense has gone out the door with the dishwater, or laundrey soap.
4-16-2010 @ 7:49PM
norm said...Interesting article but I can tell you that my wife and I don't fit the picture portrayed of grandparents in this article and somehow I think we are are more representative of the many grandparents actively involved with their families than the article suggests. Our 4 year old grandson has spent much of his early years with us and very little in daycare. We think about what is healthy and we want the best for him which includes lots of outdoor time and a balanced diet of home cooking; with very limited amounts of TV and video games. Yes he enjoys some cookies; but he aso loves to help his nanny make those cookies, bake bread and generally help out; he helps me with odd jobs outside and around the house. Somehow, I think we are are more representative of the many grandparents actively involved with their families than the article suggests.
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