Grandparents who care for children 'boost obesity risk' Young children who are regularaly looked after by their grandparents have an increased risk of being overweight, an extensive British study has suggested. Analysis of 12,000 olds suggested the risk was 34% higher if grandparents cared for them full time. Children who went to nursery or had a child-minder had no increased risk of weight problems, the International Journal of Obesity reported. Nearly a quarter of preschool children in the UK are overweight or obese. The researchers said very little research had been done on the influenze of childcare on weight. Yet childcare may have an effect on weight through diet and physical activity. The study used data from the Millennium Cohort Study, which looked at the health of children aged between nine months and three years old, who had been born in the UK between 2000 and 2001. The results showed that those looked after by grandparents part-time had a 15% higher risk of being overweight for their age compared with those solely looked after by their parents. Those who were cared for by their grandparents full-time had a 34% increased risk of being overweight, the University College London team found. Further analysis taking into account the child's socio-economic background, found the increased risk was only apparant in children from the most advantaged groups - whose mothers had a managerial or professional job, had a degree, or lived with their partner. There was also an increased risk of being overweight associated with other informal care provided by relatives or friends but only if that was full-time. 'Best alternative' The researchers said it was well-recognized that parents value care provided by grandparents and consider it to be the best alternative to full-time parent care. They said the issue was about providing informal carers, such as grandparents, with better information and support around diet and exercise.
Grandparents who care for children 'boost obesity risk' Young children who are regularaly looked after by their grandparents have an increased risk of being overweight, an extensive British study has suggested. Analysis of 12,000 olds suggested the risk was 34% higher if grandparents cared for them full time. Children who went to nursery or had a child-minder had no increased risk of weight problems, the International Journal of Obesity reported. Nearly a quarter of preschool children in the UK are overweight or obese. The researchers said very little research had been done on the influenze of childcare on weight. Yet childcare may have an effect on weight through diet and physical activity. The study used data from the Millennium Cohort Study, which looked at the health of children aged between nine months and three years old, who had been born in the UK between 2000 and 2001. The results showed that those looked after by grandparents part-time had a 15% higher risk of being overweight for their age compared with those solely looked after by their parents. Those who were cared for by their grandparents full-time had a 34% increased risk of being overweight, the University College London team found. Further analysis taking into account the child's socio-economic background, found the increased risk was only apparant in children from the most advantaged groups - whose mothers had a managerial or professional job, had a degree, or lived with their partner. There was also an increased risk of being overweight associated with other informal care provided by relatives or friends but only if that was full-time. 'Best alternative' The researchers said it was well-recognized that parents value care provided by grandparents and consider it to be the best alternative to full-time parent care. They said the issue was about providing informal carers, such as grandparents, with better information and support around diet and exercise.