Washington, Aug 10 (IANS) Childhood obesity has quadrupled in the last 40 years, but
parents can help stave off this impending crisis if they help their children eat better and exercise, says a new study.

“We’ve seen a 10 fold increase in Type-2 diabetes and psychological and social consequences, such as prejudice, rejection, discrimination and low self-esteem in children,” Edward Abramson told the American Psychological Association (APA)’s 117th Annual convention on Saturday.

“More than 60 percent of overweight children have one risk factor for cardiovascular disease and 20 percent have two or more risk factors,” Abramson, a psychology professor at California State University-Chico (CSU-C), said.

Bad eating habits can start with “emotional eating”, or eating when one is not hungry, or from following a strict diet, said Abramson, who has authored “Body Intelligence” and “Emotional Eating”.

“This can lead to a weight problem or an eating disorder,” he added. “Parents’ attitudes and behaviours also have an influence on children’s eating, and mothers more than fathers affect children’s eating habits and body image.”

Many factors contribute to mothers’ concern about their children’s risk for obesity, Abramson said. “Often, when a mother is struggling with her own weight, she becomes more involved in regulating her daughter’s eating.”

“In general, mothers are more concerned than fathers about their child’s weight, especially their daughter’s, and are more likely to restrict foods” Abramson added.