That’s right. It was actually believed that if parents are over-strict with the eating habits of their kids then those same kids would rebel, overeat and become big fat adults. Uh…. not true! Science Daily reports that a recent study in the journal Obesity shows that such maternal control of a child’s eating habits might merely be a response to the increase in weight of the child.
Almost 800 children were studied at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development with an equal representation of boys and girls:
Child heights and weights were obtained at ages 4, 7 and 9 and changes in body mass index (BMI) were measured between 4-7 years and 7-9 years. Maternal feeding practices were measured at each age interval by asking mothers the question, “Do you let your child eat what he/she feels like eating?” [ScienceDaily]
Absolutely no relationship could be conclusively derived between maternal control of a child’s eating habits and the child’s actual weight gain although it was determined that mothers probably noticed a girl’s weight gain much more quickly than a similar weight gain by a boy.
While the actual form of control exercised could vary and the best way to enforce good eating habits is still widely debated, the study concluded there was nothing inherently wrong in this approach:
Based on these findings, the researchers say restrictive feeding practices may actually be necessary for some children to help regulate their food intake, promote healthier eating habits and limit excessive weight gain. “There has been some concern about the negative impact of restrictive feeding practices and that we should be more lax and let the child determine how much, when and what to eat. However, some degree of control may not be harmful and may actually help certain children maintain their weight,” [ScienceDaily]
So it looks like as far as the eating habits of children go, paretns still maintain primary responsibility in controlling the type and quantity of the food and such restrictions will not directly lead to obesity later on in the child’s life.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
We need to regulate children’s food intake just like we regulate everything else they do. It is not going to kill them. People who don’t establish any control over their children’s eating habits will definitely witness the effects that hazardous diets have on their children.