The weight gain by children of working mothers is directly related to the amount of working time of the mothers.
The weight gain by children of working mothers is directly related to the amount of working time of the mothers.
Previous studies have shown that mothers' employment is associated with increases in children's body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight for height. To investigate the relation further, researchers examined data on 990 American children that was compiled from telephone and in-person interviews conducted in third, fifth and sixth grades. In addition, they looked at the mothers' employment status and schedule beginning from when their children were 3 months old.
It was found that the cumulative time that a child's mother worked was associated with a small but measurable increase in the child's body mass index (BMI), a measurement that takes into account height and weight. For example, for a third grader of average height, the increase in BMI was equivalent to an extra one and a half to two pounds over what that child would normally gain in a year. The effect was even greater among children in fifth and sixth grades. It could be because of the fact that fifth and sixth graders generally have more independence and less adult supervision over their time use and food choices than third graders, maternal employment precipitates poorer food choices and more sedentary activity.
The study highlights the challenges that all working parents face as they juggle the demands of work and family responsibilities, and that one consequence may be relying too heavily on high-calorie, processed foods.
Previous studies have shown that mothers' employment is associated with increases in children's body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight for height. To investigate the relation further, researchers examined data on 990 American children that was compiled from telephone and in-person interviews conducted in third, fifth and sixth grades. In addition, they looked at the mothers' employment status and schedule beginning from when their children were 3 months old.
It was found that the cumulative time that a child's mother worked was associated with a small but measurable increase in the child's body mass index (BMI), a measurement that takes into account height and weight. For example, for a third grader of average height, the increase in BMI was equivalent to an extra one and a half to two pounds over what that child would normally gain in a year. The effect was even greater among children in fifth and sixth grades. It could be because of the fact that fifth and sixth graders generally have more independence and less adult supervision over their time use and food choices than third graders, maternal employment precipitates poorer food choices and more sedentary activity.
The study highlights the challenges that all working parents face as they juggle the demands of work and family responsibilities, and that one consequence may be relying too heavily on high-calorie, processed foods.
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