Can a Mother & Child’s Bond Determine Obesity? Study Says YES.
From the archive. This post was first published on the original Green Eggs and Moms blog and is kept here as it was.
A new study shows that a mother’s relationship with her child before the age of 3 plays a role in teenage obesity.
And no, this was not written to blame mothers, but rather to help them understand and raise their children better.
The Study
Researchers from the Ohio State University worked with close to a thousand children from birth until the age of 15. They observed mother-child interactions at 15 months, 24 months and 36 months to determine the type of relationship between the pair.
The Findings
Kids who had poor relationships with their moms before 3 years of age were more than twice as likely to be obese by the age of 15.
Takeaway
The logical solution is to get mothers to improve their relationships with their children. However, it’s not always easy to do so especially for single or dual parents who have to work constantly to make ends meet.
To put things into perspective, the maternal relationship quality is not the only factor for obesity. Genetics, environment and nutrition also play a part.
For those who are able to spend time with their toddlers, do so. For those who don’t have that luxury, ask a relative to substitute for you and make the most out of your weekends with your children.
So, what are your thoughts on the study’s findings?
Photo:Creative Commons from CJAG93