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Preschool-age children of depressed mothers
watch more television than those of non-depressed moms, putting
them at increased risk of obesity.
Depressed moms' kids watch more TV, an
extra half-hour per day on average.
Higher stress levels in moms were correlated
with additional television viewing in children overall. Children
who watch more TV spend less time outdoors, and youngsters
tend to be more physically active when they are outside.
The researchers surveyed 150 low-income
mothers of preschool children who were participating in the
Vermont Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants, and Children. They interviewed mothers about their
body mass index, levels of depression and stress, and their
kids' daily television-viewing habits. While the mothers were
re-registering for the program, the researchers also calculated
the BMI of the children, who ranged from 3 to 5 years old.
The study findings, showed that many
children were overweight
and about 16% had a BMI -- a measure of weight in relation
to height -- above the 90th percentile. About 5% of children
in an average group would be expected to weigh in at this
level, Burdette said.
About one-third of mothers had high levels
of depression while one-half were obese, depressed or both.
The children of depressed moms who were normal weight watched
an additional half-hour
of television a day and those with mothers who
were both depressed and obese watched an additional
hour of television daily.
Mothers
who are depressed or stressed may not encourage their children
to go outside and be active.
North
American Association for the Study of Obesity in Quebec City,
Canada October 8, 2001
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