Maternal Employment Affects Child’s BMI

The total number of years a mother is employed has a small but cumulative effect on her child’s BMI. This, according to researchers at American University, can increase the likelihood of the child being overweight or obese. Researchers found this correlation to be strongest among children in 6th grade.

The study, published in the January/February issue of Child Development, used data from school-age children (approximately 8 to 12 years) in the NICHD’s Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N = 990). One possibility for the results is that working parents may rely more on eating out or serving prepared foods, both of which tend to be higher in fat and calories than food prepared at home. Further, the researchers note, changes in children’s physical activity, time spent unsupervised, and time spent watching TV didn’t explain the link between maternal employment and children’s BMI.

According to an American University press release: “Given that more than 70 percent of U.S. mothers with young children work, the importance of providing support to these families is clear. Based on their findings, the researchers call for efforts to expand the availability of affordable, readily accessible healthy foods, and to support and educate working parents about strategies for providing nutritious meals despite busy schedules."

Sources:

* American University: Children’s BMI May Rise the Longer Mothers Work
* Child Development: Maternal Employment, Work Schedules, and Children’s Body Mass Index