Smoking parents have children more prone to obesity
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024
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Children of parents who smoke have a greater tendency to develop obesity. This opinion was voiced by representatives of several Australian scientific institutions - in particular, the Royal Melbourne University of Technology, Monash University. They were joined by the staff of the British Lancaster University.
Tobacco smoking is a prognostic parameter obesity in children. At the same time, the work of American scientists has demonstrated: if parents smoke, the risk of obesity in the child increases by 40%. The most probable theories of the existence of a link between parental smoking and the development of obesity in children have already been elucidated.
Taking into account the socio-economic aspects of the problem, according to one theory, this phenomenon can be explained by the rather high cost of cigarettes, which entails a redistribution of family expenditures and a reduction in the consumption of more expensive, but also more useful and higher quality food products.
Behavioral-taste preference theory explains the change in taste sensitivity in smokers, which may indirectly negatively influence the choice of unhealthy and undesirable foods.
Australians have one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in the world. Statistics show that one in four children here is overweight or obese.
In their research, experts examined information on five thousand Australian children in the age range of 4 to 16 years. The data were collected over a decade to determine the impact of parental smoking on the development of childhood obesity.
The work of scientists has demonstrated: children who have a smoking father or mother consume large amounts of low-quality and unhealthy foods, including chips, sausages, sodas, fast food, against a background of low consumption of healthy foods (fruits, vegetables, cereals, clean water).
Notably, the addiction to smoking of the mother plays a major role. This is most likely due to the predominantly female support of household life, responsibilities for food selection and cooking. Mothers probably have a greater influence on what their children eat and what they prefer.
The results of the experiment point to the importance of developing interventions that help parents to quit addictions and lead a healthy lifestyle. After all, this will have a favorable impact on the health of their children. Measures should be taken so that active members of the community, health professionals, teachers and parents are in contact with each other, which will help to reduce the possible causes of obesity in children.
Details are published on BMC Public Health's publication page