Introduction: Now more and more fathers are actively involved in the growth and education of their children, so what effect does their participation have on their children? An article published June 21, 2017 in the journal Obesity found that the higher the involvement of dads in caring for their children, the lower the risk of their children becoming obese. The findings are the result of Michelle Wong, a doctoral student at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and colleagues.
Children with "super daddies" are not prone to obesity
The trial was designed | the study was based on an "Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort." The cohort included more than 10,000 U.S. children born in 2001, and the researchers analyzed more than 3,900 of them. The researchers analyzed the association between paternal parenting engagement and various consequences associated with obesity in young children (e.g., sugary drink intake, time spent on screen, height BMI Z- value, overweight, obesity). The study used questionnaires to survey how often dads took their children out to play, helped them cook, tended to their children when their mothers were busy, and helped them get dressed and washed.
The findings | the main findings of the study are summarized below:
When the child's father was more frequently involved in parenting activities, such as taking the child out for a walk or play, brushing the child's teeth, getting dressed, and coaxing the child to sleep, the risk of obesity in children aged 2-4 years was reduced by 33% (relative risk 0.67, 95% confidence space 0.52-0.88, P < 0.05).
Although the risk of fathers preparing food for their children and seeing children and children's obesity when the mother is busy, although they do not reach a statistical correlation, it can still be seen numerically that the father's participation is high and the child's risk of obesity is low (the relative risk is 0.73-0.75, P < 0.1).
In addition, if the father has the authority to make decisions about the child, the child's obesity risk [relative risk of 0.56 (confidence space 0.29-1.09)] and intake of sugary drinks is also lower (relative risk of 0.74 (confidence space 0.52-1.06)], although it is not statistically significant.
The significance of the study | which mainly affirmed the potential benefits of fathers' involvement in their children's development education. Therefore, the researchers concluded, "In the programs and courses of obesity interventions, mothers should not only be involved, but more fathers should be encouraged to actively participate in these programs." At the same time, pediatricians should also encourage fathers to participate in health check-ups with their children [2]. ”
bibliography
[1] Wong MS et al., The longitudinal association between early childhood obesity and fathers' involvement in caregiving and decision-making. Obesity, 2017. DOI: 10.1002/oby.21902
[2] Dads' Caregiving Tied to Kids' Obesity Risk. Link: http://www.medpagetoday.com/pediatrics/obesity/66157
Edited | Xinyin PHD, RD Editor| Haoran PHD
Design | Fay
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