dads health has a big impact on kids
2 Apr 2012

Dad's health has a big impact on kids

2 mins to read
Online weight loss coach Andrew Cate looks at the role fathers play in their child’s future health, and shows that it all starts in your own backyard.


A Fathers health reflects on their child
Fathers can have a dramatic influence on the health of their young children. Some of a child’s knowledge and attitude towards food and exercise is learned unconsciously, by watching and imitating their dad. It may be because Dad’s are seen as the head of the family, or possibly because fathers have a stronger influence over the types of foods a family eats. This strong level of influence has led to a growing level of awareness of the importance of targeting parents as a strategy to improve dietary and physical activity behaviours in their children.

The research
A recent study examined the long-term effects on child weight status from having one overweight parent, and also examined whether these effects varied depending on the gender of the overweight parent. Over 3,000 families were assessed for height and weight, and then re-assessed four years later. The researchers found even if the mother was at a healthy weight, having an overweight father significantly increased the odds of their child becoming overweight. An overweight father increased the risk of having an overweight child by 418%, but if the father was very overweight, the risk increased to 1488 per cent. However, a healthy weight father with an overweight mother was not a significant predictor of childhood weight problems. The researchers noted that the role fathers play in childhood health is particularly important in countries like Australia where substantially more men are overweight than women.

Practical tips for dads
Children with overweight fathers are at a higher risk of becoming overweight themselves, suggesting fathers have a key influence in shaping the family environment that leads to the development of child weight problems. Following are some practical ways that fathers can foster a positive attitude towards health and weight in their children.

  • Be a good role model - Children emulate their fathers, and a good way to deal with childhood health is to address the lifestyle of the parents. It’s vital that fathers develop a sense of awareness of the example they set in the home. Striving to be healthy and of a normal weight will benefit both father and child. Children who see and learn healthy habits early in life may find it easier to maintain those habits through their teen years and into adulthood.
  • Be active – Dads can exercise not only for themselves, but for their kids’ benefit as well. Fathers help to stimulate a child’s interest in physical activity, and motivate them to take part. You can also participate in activities together, like ball sports, bushwalking and swimming. The provision of some yard space for play, along with simple, inexpensive play equipment can also help create a culture of physical activity in the family home.
  • Eat well, and eat with your kids – Make the time to eat together at the dinner table at least a few times each week with the television off. This allows you to pay attention to them and their diet, and demonstrate your enjoyment of healthy food. Focus on long-term healthy eating, not dieting.
  • Create a supportive environment – Simply demanding that a child does exercise may actually create an aversion to exercise. Parents who encourage their children to take up sport while providing transport and financial support, along with a 'do your best' attitude, increase a child’s chances of finding a sport they enjoy. It’s also important to praise children for the positive aspects of their performance, no matter who wins.

References available upon request.




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