Parents Aren’t Good at Dieting

A new survey found adults with young children have a harder time staying healthy and losing weight than adults without children.  The survey was conducted using 1,520 people with an average age of 25.  Most of the adults surveyed also had children who were eight 5 years of age or younger.  What the survey found was very interesting.

Women with young children (mothers) were heavier in weight because they tended to eat more calories, drink sugary beverages and eat fatty foods than women without children.  After looking at their lifestyles, it was pointed out that most of these women were trying to eat on the go because their lives were much more hectic with children and they didn't have as much as time as before to make a healthy lunch or snack.  Fathers did not have as much of a problem with the weight gain as the mothers did.

Another interesting result from the study was that both fathers and mothers were not as active as their peers who do not have children.  Therefore, not having time to be active such as going to the gym or going for a run also played a significant role on their diet -- not just poor or rushed eating habits. 

Though these are just test studies, I think most parents would probably agree with the findings of this particular survey.  I don't have children myself, but I can only imagine it is difficult to have enough time to make it to the gym, let alone have quality alone time with their wife/husband.  Furthermore, trying to find a babysitter and always having to pay someone to watch children under the age of 5 can be very difficult and expensive, making it even harder on any household to support weight loss. 

For more on the study and how it was conducted, either look on the inside cover of the Times Union today or go to the TimesUnion.com.  The survey was also published in today's journal Pediatrics.