News: Stressed parents more likely to have obese children

Stress has a big impact on your health by raising your blood sugar and contributing to weight gain. And, it turns out your stress level could be negatively impacting your child’s health as well. A recent study published online in the journal Pediatrics found that parents with a high number of stressors in their lives are more likely to have obese children.

The main sources of stress for parents in this study were poor physical and mental health, financial strain and leading a single-parent household. Children of parents who reported high levels of stress ate fast-food more often than children whose parents did not feel stressed.

Of the parental stressors studied, single-parent households had the greatest link to childhood obesity, while financial stress had the strongest relationship to child inactivity.

Fast-food may seem like a quick meal option parents turn to when they’re feeling stressed and short on time, but it’s also a major risk factor for obesity.

Are you more likely to pick up fast-food or order in when you’re stressed?

Related:
‘ 5 steps to healthier family meals
‘ Are only children at a higher risk for obesity?
‘ Should you put your child on a diet?