Health Risks of Overweight Parents & Children

Because parents model behavior that children will follow, and parents generally provide the food that children eat, overweight parents are at risk of having overweight children. Add to that the influence of genetics, and the result is hardly surprising. Overweight children and adults suffer from a number of health risks, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes and its side effects. However, making some simple changes as a family can help to improve everyone's health.

Overweight Children

• Even in a loving family, overeating can be a cause of ill health.

  Being overweight is a serious condition for a growing child. In early childhood, growth and joint problems, including bowed legs, can result. In pre-adolescence, overweight girls can have precocious development of breasts, and may have early menstruation. Overweight boys may have deficient testosterone production and late puberty. Serious health effects, such as early-onset type 2 diabetes can result if there is a genetic predisposition. A life long struggle with weight and its health effects can result if weight is not properly controlled in childhood.

Overweight Parents

• Loving parents should consider the impact of their weight on their children.

  Many people gain weight after early adulthood. Having a family results in lifestyle changes that can affect eating habits, and there is little time for exercise. Overweight parents often do not have the energy to play with their children, and a sedentary lifestyle causes more weight problems. Being overweight has health risks which will shorten life expectancy; getting healthy is a wonderful gift to give yourself, and your children.

Genetic Risks

• Being overweight really can be in your DNA.

  In some families, there is a known genetic predisposition to being overweight. Weight doctors estimate that there are over 100 genes that influence metabolism and weight gain, which causes some people to gain weight more easily than others. Diabetes is the most prevalent disorder resulting from overweight, and carries with it the burden of increased incidence of heart disease, high blood pressure, retinal problems, and a condition called neuropathy which can lead to limb damage and amputation. If these conditions exist in the family, it is even more important to keep your whole family at a healthy weight.

Other Health Problems

• Back pain often results from being overweight.

  Lack of exercise and abdominal strength can cause sleep apnea, which can lead to chronic fatigue. Skin problems can result from folds of flesh rubbing against each other, and this can also cause body odor which can result in a lack of social acceptance. Joint problems can be caused, even in young children, from the effect of extra weight; sciatica and lower back pain can also result. In many cases, people get used to these problems, and it is only when they get healthy that they realize how much better life can be.

Making Positive Changes

• Substitute water for sugary drinks as an added health measure.

  Healthy eating and moderate exercise are the best ways to gradually overcome the health risks of obesity. You are more likely to stick with gradual lifestyle changes than drastic measures. If parents model good, healthy eating, and add exercise to their daily agenda, then children will usually follow. Many health centers or clinics offer classes in nutrition, and some hospitals and community centers have weight management programs. Even starting a walking program with your children before dinner has beneficial effects; contrary to myth, exercise can actually dull the appetite.