‘Obesity is a social issue because of parenting and family issues rather than a food issue. What role do families play in the increasing level of obesity in Australian children?’
Childhood obesity levels are rising in many countries throughout the world, including Australia. Numerous studies of Australian, overweight children, have shown obesity has doubled in recent years with 20% - 25% of children now considered obese or overweight (Batch & Baur 2005, p.130). The health and social problems associated with obesity in children are numerous, pushing health practitioners and researchers to uncover solutions for this issue. While evidence points to many dissimilar rationales, much emphasis is being placed upon parents and their role in educating and providing children with effective lifestyle behaviours, focussed on gaining control of the obesity wave. This essay explores the parent’s responsibilities and influences on their child’s weight; through nutritional choices, physical activity and screen time (television, computer and video games), as well as marital status and parenting styles. It will also discuss research showing genetics to be a large portion of the illustration into the world of childhood obesity, and could be the exception to placing blame on the family.

Treatment programs for obese children are taking into account parental influences of food choices within the family. Parents are exclusively accountable for the procurement and preparation of healthy food for their children in the home, yet research shows, mothers are inundated with confusion on what constitutes a healthy, balanced meal. With education on these matters, the whole family can gain the benefits of eating better and exercise on a regular basis (Grossbart, Crosby & Smith 1986, p.360). The alteration of food habits within the family, along with support and praise for children’s changed eating behaviours is crucial (Batch & Baur 2005, p.133). The intention is to present a flexible program to make continued alterations in food choices, eating habits and exercise routines within the whole family. Enhancing parent knowledge of nutrition and lifestyle choices has been shown to develop improved diet quality in children (Rich 2012, p.12). If children are not being given a nutritiously balanced meal and snacks, they are more likely to have weight problems. Antoine (2012, p.2) states, children who have an inferior quality breakfast and were more inclined to neglect regular meals were more likely to be overweight or obese. The food and exercise habits a child acquires early on in their life, shapes their future health and well-being right through from childhood and adolescence on to adulthood ((The Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2011, p.3).

In addition to quality of food, physical activity cannot be overlooked as an integral part towards childhood obesity. Habits for diet and physical activity are created in the early years of life; therefore a parent’s involvement is important for the child’s awareness and behaviour toward physical activity and food. Antoine’s study (2012, p.3) shows an increase in physical activity not only assists in the reduction of BMI (body mass index), it also improves children’s fundamental movement skills and competences. However, incorporating exercise into a child’s day is not enough for long term effects on their weight; the need for lifestyle changes is just as important. A long-term study of the benefits of physical activity showed the group incorporating increased physical lifestyle changes (walking instead of driving etc), as well as planned exercise sustained better weight control instead of planned exercise alone (Batch & Baur 2005, p.133).

Parents implementing physical lifestyle changes within the family should expect to see higher success rates regarding their child’s weight problems. One study found, even with regular physical activity, if too much screen time (television, video games, computers and phones), was undertaken, children were still likely to have weight issues (Maher, Olds, Eisenmann & Dollman 2012, p.1173). Children spending too much screen time in their day are not only sedentary; they are being exposed to food and drink marketing targeting children. The tendency to idly snack while watching television or interacting with other media is also heightened; therefore they are ingesting more calories than being burned ((IOM 2011, p.3). So how much screen time is acceptable for children? The Australian Federal government initiative recommends children aged two to five, are limited to one hour or less screen time per day. Children five years and over are recommended to be allowed two hours screen time a day (Baker 2010).

An added family factor shown to put children at higher risk of obesity is parental marriage status. Byrne, Cook, Skouteris & Do’s (2011), study showed results of children, in particular girls, from single-parent families were more likely to be obese or overweight. Furthermore, Gibson, Byrne, Davis, Blair, Jacoby, and Zubrick (2007) found this also to be true, their study showed a possible contributing factor to a child’s weight problems, were in a single parent maternal house with the mother being overweight. Both studies found girls were more susceptible to weight problems or obesity if they came from a maternal single parent family where the mother was overweight. General conjecture to the reason for this fact is commonly, maternal single parents have less income, therefore the family has restricted access to foods such as grains, fruits and vegetables, which have a propensity for being more expensive (Gibson, Byrne, Davis, Blair, Jacoby, and Zubrick 2007, p.593). Single mothers are also more likely to prohibit their daughters from playing outside if they feel they are in an unsafe neighbourhood (Byrne, Cook, Skouteris & Do 2011, p.417).

Family parenting style towards eating has also been shown to have an effect on children and their weight. Baumrind (1991, p.56) states parents generally work within an authoritative, authoritarian or permissive parenting style when dealing with child-feeding. Both authoritative and authoritarian styles centre on a high level of control by the parents over a child’s eating patterns. However, authoritative style parents focus on setting clear, age appropriate expectations for the child; they are nevertheless amenable to their child’s responses towards their meals. Authoritarian style parents tend not to respond to the child’s reaction during a meal overlooking their contentment or hunger (Rich 2012, p.9).
Permissive parents are less demanding and more responsive, tending to allow children to control their own activities and food consumption. They are less likely to punish when things go wrong and set boundaries akin to friendship with their children (Golan & Crow 2004, p.43).

Goland & Crow (2004, p.43) suggest authoritative parenting style in general to be superior to other forms. Attempting to blend a parent’s authority with the child’s individuality, they also suggest this style helps children to foster social skills, academic accomplishments and an ability to self regulate processes such as healthy eating habits. In contrast, research has shown authoritarian parenting to be connected to an increased risk of obesity (Rich 2012, p.10). Indifference or unresponsiveness to children’s feeding cues can be inimical to their ability to self regulate food choices and intake. Children learn to focus on other indications rather than reacting to appetite. Permissive parenting, sometimes known as indulgent parenting, has also been linked with children possessing a lower ability to self regulate in regards to many behaviours, food intake being one. Such children have limited guidelines or discipline in which to make healthy choices in their eating habits, therefore often are likely to be overweight or obese.

Despite numerous research focusing on causes of obesity stemming from family parenting and societal influences, it’s important to note genetic features are also considered to be an integral cause of obesity. Strong evidence that genetics play a central task in obesity has been discovered through many studies of laboratory rodents (Garland, Schultz, Chappell, Keeney, Meek, Copes, Acosta, Drenowatz, Maciel, Van Dijk, Kotz & Eisenmann 2011, p.206). Professor Paul Zimmet from Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne goes so far as to say he believes, in at least 50% of all obesity cases, genetics are accountable (Baker 2012). According to Lyon & Hirschorn (2005, p.215S), even if family members are not living together, or have similar food and exercise habits, the chances of one being obese are increased, if others are obese too. People genetically prone to being overweight often find it difficult to be able to control their diet or burn fat. Their genetic make-up means they need to exercise to the extreme and hardly eat to control their weight. Some genes have been shown to prevent people from comprehending they are full, therefore keep eating unnecessarily (Baker 2012). There is however, still a call for parents to teach their child the value of nutrition and exercise regardless of a genetic predisposition.

With such an alarming rise in childhood obesity in many countries, this epidemic requires a call for preventative undertakings due to the damaging health effects associated with obesity. Parent involvement and health education is clearly a key factor for changing the way our children function and make mindful food choices. As parents are responsible for the feeding and physical activity practices of their children within the home, the need for them to be educated in nutrition and exercise is paramount. This essay shows the need for parents to be aware of the implications their contributions to their child’s health make, and understand the future health and well-being, right through from childhood into adulthood, happens to a child early on in their lives. Without suitable role models and education, a child will be ill equipped to make healthy choices regarding food and exercise.

References

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Gibson, L, Byrne, S, Davis, E, Blair, E, Jacoby, P and Zubrick, S 2007, ‘The role of family and maternal factors in childhood obesity’, The Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 186, no. 11, pp 591-595.
Grossbart, S, Crosby, L and Smith, L 1986, "Parental Diffusion Roles and Effects of Nutrition Education on Parents and Children", Advances in Consumer Research, vol. 13, pp 360-364.
Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2011, Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Policies, IOM, Washington.
Lyon, H and Hirschhorn J 2005, ‘Genetics of common forms of obesity: a brief overview’, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. vol. 82, no. 1, pp 2155-2175.

Maher, C, Olds, T, Eisenmann, J, Dollman, J 2012, ‘Screen time is more strongly associated than physical activity with overweight and obesity in 9- to 16- year old Australians’, Acta Paediatrica, vol. 101, no. 11, pp 1170-1174.

Rich, K 2012, ‘Parent nutrition education and the influence on family. Lifestyle behaviour changes’, Master’s thesis, Utah State University, Utah, viewed 4 November 2013, http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2202&context=etd