Mothers who follow healthy habits can prevent obesity in their children

Children and teens whose mothers follow five healthy habits (eating healthy, exercising regularly, maintaining a recommended weight, consuming alcohol sparingly and not smoking) are 75% less likely to be obese than children of women who do not have a healthy lifestyle. This is what reveals a study conducted by the TH Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University that examined cases of 24,289 youths aged 9 to 18 years.

"We conclude that mothers should consider their lifestyle not only" El Mercurio "Qi Sun, author of the research

Demonstrating this relationship between healthy mothers and healthier children serves to reduce childhood obesity at home,

"It is known that genetics play an important role, but the rapid increase in disease in recent years is probably due to changes in the mode of life, which indicates that nutrition, rather than Nature, feeds the epidemic, "he adds

with nutritionist Sonia Olivares, researcher at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), which has conducted studies on this subject. the environment as genetics "," confirms Olivares

"This study is one of the most comprehensive studies that have been done so far because I have measured several factors of the mother 's way of life.Basically, he tells us that his behavior influences and could be helpful in creating habits in his children.So they ride a bike and wear them, they will stimulate them and they will. will get used to the exercise. "

Although the work does not focus on why healthy women have children less prone to obesity, Sun also believes in adopting a mode of Healthy living, they create a physical and psychosocial environment that has repercussions: "You may think that it encourages children to have better health and to develop behaviors to achieve it," he says.

The greater each risk of obesity was observed when mothers followed the five habits, many of them also had a noticeable impact assessed separately.

The children of those who maintained a recommended weight (BMI between 18.5 and 24). 9) had a 56% lower obesity risk compared to children of overweight women, while children of non-smoking mothers had a 31% lower risk.

The danger was also lower in children of those who consumed moderate alcohol levels (200 ml of beer per day). For Valeria Francestti, a child and adolescent psychologist at UC Health Obesity Center, the research reinforces the idea that children learn more by example than by instruction.

"Although the study is done in mothers, One may think that they imitate the behavior of the main caregiver, who in Chile can also be grandparents. This tells us that we can prevent obesity with family-based treatments.In Chile, many programs have been carried out that have not worked and almost "To the surprise of the researchers, by separately analyzing the factor of 39, mothers' diet, this has not been associated with a lower risk of obesity in children. As stated, "probably because the children's diet is influenced by other elements such as school meals and food available in their communities."

Olivares agrees that the school environment is a stiff competition for the maternal example. A study conducted by her last year showed that 65% of Chilean children brought money to school to buy food during the day.

"The analyzes in other countries did not discard it, but in Chile the temptation to buy scrap in street sales is a weighty element" , said.

Harvard's findings, experts agree, reinforce the potential benefits of parent-based strategies for stopping overweight and obesity in children. However, they believe this should also include initiatives that include interventions in schools.