How Divorce and Single Parenting Causes Your Child To Overeat

By Richard Lipman M.D.

Discouraging reports all over the world describe the increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity and the need for something to be done. Weight gain in children is always a balance of genes and environmental influences including an abundance of high calorie foods and drinks and a decrease in physical activity. Many factors within the family contribute to overeating in our children. These include parental education, occupation, obesity and age, family income, number of siblings, and parental beliefs and practices. One of the family features that has not been fully explored is the marital status of the parents.

Studies have shown that children who lived with single mothers were significantly more likely to develop obesity after a 6-year follow-up, compared to those with married parents. Forty years ago, only about 11% of children lived in a single parent home. In 2009, 40% of American children were born to single parents. More than 50% of children will live sometime in their childhood with only a single parent, while 25% end up living with one biological parent and a step parent. The most common type of single-parent family is one that consists of a mother and her biological children.

In 2002, 16.5 million or 23 percent of all children were living with their single mother. When single families are mother headed the economic burden is greater. The balance of work and family duties become distorted. Children are left alone, without adult supervision or placed in day care because mother's are required to work longer hours. Many single mothers pay large fees for daycare services. This breakdown in the traditional family is responsible for a lot of fast food eating and eating on -the- run. Even more important is when one parent goes about sabotaging the efforts of the other.

• Child's emotional insecurity, parental conflict and departure
• Unfavorable changes in socioeconomic status associated with income decline
• Disruptions in routines and expectations.
• Conduct disorders, anger, loneliness, lack of self regulation, depression, anxiety
• Parental neglect
• Dissolution of family eating times, more snacking, eating in front of a TV (Divorce has shown to significantly increase TV viewing time)

When mealtimes and snacks are changed from day-to-day, the young child who thrives on routine and order, ends confused and are unable to learn to respond to the normal signals telling him to eat and to stop eating. All of these family disruptions add up to significant problems with overeating children and teens.

Richard Lipman M.D, board certified endocrinologist, internist & weight loss expert has treated tens of thousands of adults, children and families with weight & metabolic disorders. He is the author 5 books on weight loss and metabolism including his newest book Diet Buddies: A Weight Loss Plan for the Whole Family at http://www.dietbuddiesbook.com

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Parenting Meal-Time Tips for Preventing Childhood Obesity

By Cheryl A Winter

Childhood obesity has become a national healthcare crisis in recent years. Children who are obese as preschoolers are at increased risk for adolescent and adult obesity, as well as an increased risk of developing many chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), asthma, and sleep apnea, as well as emotional problems such as low self-esteem and depression. It has even been estimated that if obesity rates continue as they are, today's generation of children will be the first generation to not outlive their parents. Therefore, we have a lot at stake!

There are many causes leading to childhood obesity and it will take a village to solve this crisis. However, as parents there are many things that can be done to reduce the risk of childhood obesity, while improving the child's quality of life and self-esteem. Here are just a few Parenting Meal-time Tips for Preventing Childhood Obesity:

Control portion sizes. Measure serving sizes initially and think in terms of cups and half-cups. Serve ice cream in small bowls, not cereal bowls.

Never ever "super-size" when eating out. Think small. Order a small hamburger and replace the fries with a fruit or vegetable. Although the portion size for most kid's meals is appropriate, avoid fried kid's meals as much as possible. Order low-fat milk instead of soda or shakes.

Avoid the kid's menu when eating out in sit-down restaurants. The choices are generally not very healthy and they are limited. Teach children how to order from the menu creatively to get smaller portions and/or to split orders or share menu items.

Don't even buy it!-chips, soda, doughnuts, candy, etc. If you buy it, you eat it. If it is not in the house, it won't be eaten.

Fill the pantry and refrigerator with healthy foods the children like. Place fruits and vegetables in clear sight so they can just "grab and go" as often as possible.

Do not buy soda and limit 100% juices to only ½ cup per day. There is no room for carbonated and sugar-laded beverages in growing bodies (or even a parent's body).

Limit the locations for eating to the kitchen and dining room. Avoid bedrooms and eating food in front of the TV or computer. This may also help reduce screen time.

Have your children ask for snacks-parents have more control this way.

Eat as a family when possible. This cultivates good family relations and good role modeling is more easily learned.

Plan on having set meal times. This helps prevent hunger and consuming less healthy foods.

Shut off the TV during family meals. Concentrate on the food and the family!

Place vegetables on their plates. Try one bite for every year of age.

Don't forbid treats. Less available, yes-but not completely banned or you could foster an obsession.

Be alert to frequency of unhealthy fast-food consumption. Avoid as much as possible!

Avoid snack foods purchased in bulk at warehouse-style markets. These are usually high in fat and sugar, and low in nutrition.

Limit TV/computer time. Get outside and play!

Be a role model for an active lifestyle. Kids will pick-up your good (and bad) habits.

Avoid nagging your child about any food. Being a good role model and providing the appropriate foods will work better than nagging.

Cheryl Winter is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and registered dietitian with advanced training in diabetes. She is President of DiabeteSteps Rx®, a full-service health and wellness organization, providing services aimed at the prevention and treatment of diabetes, and its associated medical conditions. DiabeteSteps Rx® also leads other healthcare professionals to increased revenues and improved patient care. Access her FREE "Get Balanced, Fit & Slim" STEP-POWER® Transformation Package at: http://DiabeteStepsRx.com to help with the challenges of weight gain, stress & illness.

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