Young children who are regularly looked after by their grandparents have an
increased risk of being overweight, an extensive British study has
suggested.
Analysis of 12,000 three-year olds suggested the risk was 34% higher if
grandparents cared for them full time.
Children who went to nursery or had a childminder 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 influence 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 apparent 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-recognised 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.
A recent announcement to provide grandparents with National Insurance
credits for caring for grandchildren under the age of 13 years for at least
20 hours a week from 2011, "provides a potential opportunity for such health
promotion", they advised.
Study leader Professor Catherine Law said this study, which was backed by
other work done in the US, did not look at why grandparent care was
associated with being overweight but that indulgence of children and lack of
physical exercise were two possible explanations.
"One of the ways forward would be to talk to small groups of grandparents to
see the challenges they face.
"Some of the things that might help would be educating the population in
general about healthy lifestyles but also things like avoiding food as a
reward and suggestions for building activities into daily life."
A Department of Health spokesman said: "We know that obesity is a very
complex issue with a wide range of factors involved.
"The latest figures show that child obesity levels are the lowest reported
since 2001. However, there's no doubt that levels of obesity in this
country, as in the rest of the developed world, are far too high.
"That's why we're investing time, energy and money into preventing people
from becoming obese in the first place."
Source : BBC News
