The rising number of overweight and obese children around the world is a grave concern for both parents and health professionals.
We are all more than aware of the risks and dangers of being an unhealthy weight, especially for kids.
In 2016, an astonishing 41 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese. The number of obese people worldwide has almost tripled since 1975.
The World Health Organisation says the increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat; and the increase in physical inactivity due to the increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanization are the main causes of the obesity crisis.
Scientists have now claimed that employed mums are partially responsible too.
A new study found that children with working mums were more likely to be bigger than those with stay-at-home mums.
20,000 families took part in the study that was conducted by The University College London. Researchers explained that single mums who work were more likely to have heavier kids, with their kids being 25 percent more likely to be overweight.
It is believed that 29 percent of children with a mum who works full-time don’t eat breakfast regularly. The study also said 19 percent of these children spend more than three hours watching TV every day.
Speaking to The Sunday Times about the study, Professor Emla Fitzsimons said: “We find that children whose mothers work are more likely to have increased sedentary behaviour and poorer dietary habits.”
