Divorce likely to put weight on children, study finds

BBC News 17 June 2019
Family First Comment: The paper suggests a range of reasons why children might put on weight after a divorce, both economic and non-economic, including:
◾less money in separated households for fresh fruit and vegetables
◾parents having to work more hours, leaving less time to prepare nutritious food
◾less money for extra-curricular activities, including sport
◾parents with less time and energy to establish healthy eating habits in their children
◾emotional problems leading to parents who overfeed and children who eat too much sugary and fatty food

Children whose parents are divorced are more likely to get fat than those whose parents stay together, say researchers.

The weight gain is particularly marked in children whose parents divorce before they are six, the study found.

Researchers from the London School of Economics and Political Science analysed data on 7,574 children born between 2000 and 2002.

The authors say their findings back calls for better health support for families going through a break-up.

The paper suggests a range of reasons why children might put on weight after a divorce, both economic and non-economic.

They include:

• • • • less money in separated households for fresh fruit and vegetables
      • parents having to work more hours, leaving less time to prepare nutritious food
      • less money for extra-curricular activities, including sport
      • parents with less time and energy to establish healthy eating habits in their children
      • emotional problems leading to parents who overfeed and children who eat too much sugary and fatty food
        READ MORE: https://www.bbc.com/news/education-48664323