Nutrition and Health Feature Article

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The Family Role in the Prevention of Childhood Obesity

By: Tamara C. Warren, Urban Health & Nutrition Specialist

Family support is the key to solving many problems that arise in today's society. When an individual is affected by illness or other problems, family members step in as the major support system. Although society does not think of obesity as a health issue that needs a support system, in reality it does.

Obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index over 30. It increasingly contributes to other health-related problem such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or hypertension, cancer, sleep apnea, and other diseases and disorders. Recent research studies indicate that childhood obesity has risen drastically over the past years. Obesity in adults can be traced back to their childhood. Studies have shown that childhood eating habits and exercise routines are contributing factors because hormonal and genetic factors are rarely the cause (Davis et al, 2007). Therefore, this leads to the question, "What is the family's role in preventing childhood obesity?"

Obesity tends to "track" throughout life, which means its presence at any age will increase the risk of it reoccurring later in life. However, the persistence of obesity into adulthood depends on several factors such as the age at which the child becomes obese, the severity of the weight increase, and the presence of obesity in at least one parent. This is why emphasis has been placed on healthy eating and exercise habits for children and their families. Healthy habits have lasting effects on lifestyles (Koplan, Liverman, & Kraak, 2005).

A child's eating habits start at home. As primary role models, parents and caregivers play a major role in preventing childhood obesity because they set the standards for the entire family. They also provide encouragement and rewards. Therefore, parents and caregivers influence a child's eating habits by controlling availability and accessibility of foods, meal structure, food modeling, food socialization practices, and food-related parenting style. If parents and caregivers are not supportive or encouraging, children will fall into sedentary lifestyles that promote improper eating patterns and no physical activities. As a result, parents and caregivers are encouraged to provide young people with recreational opportunities; determine the types of foods to be eaten in the home; and implement rules and policies that influence the amount of time various members of the family engage in healthy eating habits and physical activity.

Additionally, family interventions that address issues such as feeding styles and mealtime structures could have a positive impact on the quality of a child's diet. Researcher Ellyn Satter suggested that one way to address this issue is to develop a division of labor between parents and children: parents provide a healthy array of foods and the context that is conducive to children eating these foods. Children, on the other hand, get to decide when and how much to eat. Additionally, parent education classes that focus on developing more authoritative approaches to feeding, such as providing reasons and rationales for why children should eat more fruits and vegetables, could be beneficial (Satter, 1992).

Although parents and caregivers provide the first line of support for kids, family support systems also include grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives. Parents and caregivers should make sure these individuals are aware of the importance for providing healthy eating habits for their children in their absence. Once the whole family is on the same accord, healthy eating and physical activity are not difficult challenges. Healthy lifestyles can help children when they eat away from home regardless of the setting. However, the key to a healthy and mobile lifestyle starts at home.

Here are some helpful family tips to prevent childhood obesity:

1. Ensure the child does not over eat. Children do not need to finish every bottle or meal.
2. Provide healthy food and beverage choices for children by carefully considering nutrient quality and energy density.
3. Assist and educate children in making healthy decisions regarding types of foods and beverages to consume, how often, and in what portion size.
4. Provide fiber in the child's diet.
5. Do not provide food for comfort or as a reward. Do not offer sweets in exchange for a finished meal or good deeds.
6. Assist and educate children in making healthy decisions regarding types of foods and beverages to consume, how often, and in what portion size.
7. Limit the amount of television viewing.
8. Encourage active playtime by establishing regular family activities such as walks, ball games, and other outdoor activities. Parents should respect the fact that their children want to play sports or participant in any physical activity.
9. Be a team player and a supportive role model.

Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. (September 2004). Parents can play a role in preventing childhood obesity. Retrieved October 10, 2008.

Koplan, J. P., Liverman, C. T., Kraak, V. I., eds. (2005). Preventing childhood obesity: Health in the balance. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Moran, R. (1999). Evaluation and treatment of childhood obesity. American Family Physician, 59(4), 861-870.

Satter, E. M. (June 1992). The feeding relationship. Retrieved October 23, 2008.

Satter, E. M. (1996). Internal regulation and the evolution of normal growth as the basis for prevention of obesity in children. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 96(9), 860-864.