Childhood Obesity Study Shows Interesting Results About Self Control

[MsJacquiiC]

Let Them Eat Chips?

As rates of childhood obesity skyrocket, it seems appropriate for parents to forbid their children from eating chips, cookies, and candy at snack time. We'll a new study says being overly restrictive may

If you get a fancy coffee drink, skip the whipped cream, ask for sugar-free flavoring and have it made with skim milk.

actually backfire!

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University 1 evaluated 200 non-Hispanic white females and their parents at two-year intervals from the ages 5 to 15. Measurements included mothers' reports of girls' inhibitory (self) control levels, girls' reports of parental restriction in feeding, girls' body mass indices (BMIs), parents BMIs, education, and income. Results showed that girls with lower inhibitory control at age 7 had higher BMIs at all time points, greater weight gain, and were almost twice as likely to be overweight by age 15. Furthermore, girls who perceived higher parental restriction exhibited the strongest inverse relation between inhibitory control and weight status (high perceived restriction = low self-control and high weight status). Thus, parents who forbid their children from eating certain foods may prevent them from learning self-control, which ultimately may lead to weight gain.

So what's parent to do? Let his/her children eat whatever they want? No. Provide a variety of healthy options at home, let children choose what and how much to eat, and when eating away from home (hopefully infrequently) let children choose what they want off the menu and encourage mindful eating (like stopping before feeling stuffed and taking 1/2 of large portions home).


1. Anzman, S.L. (2009). Low inhibitory control and restrictive feeding practices predict weight outcomes. The Journal of Pediatrics, July 11 (available online).


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Obesity Obesity results from the excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body's skeletal and physical standards. Obesity has been defined as a weight more than 20% above what is considered normal according to standard age, height, and weight tables, or by a complex formula known as the body mass index. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase in 20 percent or more above your ideal body weight is the point at which excess weight becomes a health risk. CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE JOURNEY BMI CALCULATOR!

Overweight It is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9. Body weight comes from fat, muscle, bone, and body water. It is important to remember that although BMI correlates with the amount of body fat, BMI does not directly measure body fat. As a result, some people, such as athletes, may have a BMI that identifies them as over their ideal body weight even though they do not have excess body fat. CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE JOURNEY BMI CALCULATOR!