According to a study presented in scientific sessions of the American Heart Association, children with parents who set very rigid limits, are little dialogic and do not provide many signs of affection, They are more likely to be obese than those who live with a more balanced parenting style.
A group of Canadian researchers, leading the study's lead author (Lisa Kakinami), have discovered higher obesity rates in children whose parents use predominantly the authoritarian style (inflexible with the norms, and little sensitive to the affection needs of children). A group of 35577 from all over the country, who were between 0 and 12 years old, have been followed, and differences have been discovered according to the parental style with which the children lived. Among those with two to five, 30 percent more chances of being obese were found; and of those who had turned six (and up to 11), the percentage increases to 37%. It is a cross-sectional investigation that has only observed the population at a time of life.
To establish the conclusions, and in addition to the relevant questionnaires, children with weight that approximates the 98th percentile in relation to others of the same age and sex have been considered obese.
In the words of Lisa Kakinami, who is an epidimeologist doing postdoctoral studies at McGill University in Montreal, "assertive parenting style" is best for children's health. And this orientation in the upbringing and education, also acts as a preventive of risky behaviors in children (I imagine that this is seen especially from 11 or 12 when they have more freedom)
However, the study has not discovered a causal relationship, only a difference in the tendency to overweight, if children of authoritarian passes are compared with children of more flexible and assertive parents. It is interesting to discover that two other parenting styles have been included in the study: permissive (they are receptive but not demanding), and negligent (not demanding or receptive); although in general it has been discovered that in these groups, parents are mainly assertive.
As you know, assertiveness is a conscious human behavior (although to exercise it sometimes requires a little training), based on balance, and the ability to communicate clearly, but without hurting others. It is achieved by trusting oneself, and at the same time, trust is transmitted to other people.
Simplifying a lot, this research conveys the idea of be aware of one's own parenting style, and the consequences it can have on children.
On why it can happen that a child with rigid parents has more tendency to obesity, Kakinami and Stephen Daniels (of the Pediatric Hospital of Colorado), communicate that Dialogue parents talk with children about eating habits and physical exercise. That is, they do not impose, but allow the expression of minors and participation in decisions (always from common sense, it is understood). Therefore the risk of being overweight could be related to a negative reaction by not being able to question or express the opinion.
The exposed data, since they have not yet been published in a medical journal, are preliminary. And although more research is needed, there is no doubt (once again) that the way we interact with our children affects their present and future health.
