Oklahoma is OK, not great, just OK
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — An Oklahoma State University study into the causes of childhood obesity has found that parenting style can influence a child’s risk of obesity.
Experts found that parents who are authoritative but not overly controlling do best at warding off obesity in their children. These parents monitor what their children eat and encourage and model healthy behavior.
Parents who are too strict or too permissive don’t fare as well, according to the OSU study published in the July issue of the “Journal of the American Dietetic Association.”
The study looked at family dynamics of 239 Oklahoma first-graders, who were weighed and interviewed several times during a year. Lead author Laura Hubbs-Tait, a professor of human development and family science, said she wanted to learn why only 5 percent of childhood obesity interventions are effective.
Interventions aim to treat specific behaviors but do not take family dynamics into consideration.
“The take-home message is for parents to walk the walk,” she said. “If a parent wants a child to eat healthfully, the parent needs to show the child healthful habits.”
The finding may be useful to dietitians working to improve childhood obesity intervention programs, said another researcher, Melanie Page, an associate professor of psychology.
“If we’re trying to affect what or how a family eats, we can’t come in and say, ‘Make your kids eat vegetables,’” Page said. “Working with families on this requires a much broader approach.”
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