November 2013

Diet Quality of Overweight and Obese Mothers and Their Preschool Children

Childhood obesity is a huge issue that needs addressing. Obesity is affecting children of all ages. A few studies have been conducted to determine if there is a correlation between what children are eating and what their parents consume. Children depend on their parents to feed and nurture them.

During the toddler stage of life is when children are developing much of their food preferences and their eating habits are being established ().  This is key information for parents. This is the parent’s chance to have a profound effect on their child’s nutrition and future. It is known that children of parents who are obese or overweight have a much higher chance of becoming overweight or obese. Some research has been done to try to determine if it is due to genetics or eating habits or both.

One study was created with a goal of determining the diet quality of preschoolers and their overweight or obese mothers. The study also wanted to see a correlation existed between the eating habits of the mothers and their children. The study looked at the participant’s demographics, recorded anthropometric data, and had each mother complete two 24-hour dietary recalls.

The study found that close to half of the children were not meeting the daily recommendation for fruit and grain consumption. The amount of children meeting the recommended intake for vegetables was at a mere six percent. The consumption of fruits and vegetables among the mothers was also very low.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, most children were exceeding the recommended amount of sodium, saturated fat, and calories from solid fat and sugar. This same trend was seen in the mothers.

The study concluded that in order to have an effect on children’s eating habits efforts need to be made that not only address the children but also the mother. It needs to be a family effort simply because the parents are making the food-buying decisions. Progress also needs to be made on overall fruit and vegetable consumption and a reduction in sodium and empty calories. A wider variety of healthier items could lead to a healthier child and parent. 

 References:

Laster, Leigh Ellen R., Cheryl A. Lovelady, Deborah G. West, Gina A. Witheiss, Rebecca J.N. Brouwer, Marissa Stroo, and Truls Ostbye. "Diet Quality of Overweight and Obese Mothers and Their Preschool Children." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 113.11 (2013): 1476-483. 17 May 2013. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.

Rodgers et al. "Maternal feeding practices predict weight gain and obesogenic eating behaviors in young children: a prospective study." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2013, 10:24.