Overprotective Moms More Likely to Have Overweight Kids

Mothers who worry too much about their children are significantly more likely to raise overweight or obese children, according to a recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE. Researchers found that 10 to 11-year-olds were significantly more likely to have a higher BMI if their mothers were overprotective.

"Rates of child obesity have increased over the last 30 years or so, and across the same time we've seen changes in levels of parent fear and the number of children who get driven to school, for example," said lead study author Kirsten Hancock, in a news release. "But so far there hasn't been any research that demonstrates a direct relationship between protectiveness and child overweight and obesity."

The study examined 2,596 children from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. All of the participants were assessed every two years from four to five and then 10 to 11.

Researchers also noted maternal characteristics and socioeconomic status during the study.

Findings showed that moms who scored moderately-high on the protective scale were 13 percent more likely to have overweight or obese children than those who scored at the highest end of the scale. They were up to 27 percent more likely to have children with weight issues.

"However, we only found this pattern once kids reached the age of about 10-11 years," Hancock noted. "This could be to do with the amount of independence and physical activity that kids get."

"At 10-11 years some kids will be allowed to walk or ride to school on their own, or with friends, or participate in sport... others will be driven around and have greater restrictions," she concluded. "So while some kids have many options for physical activity, kids with an overprotective parent might miss out, [which] could explain why we found higher rates of overweight and obesity."