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UK Wedding News

05/06/2014

Divorce Can Cause Obesity In Children - Study

A new study has claimed that children whose parents have divorced are more likely to become overweight or obese.

In fact, children whose parents had separated were 54% more likely to be overweight or obese.

The findings, made by researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo, Norway, and published in the journal BMJ Open, also found that the link between divorce and obesity is higher in boys. Some 63% of males are more likely to be overweight or obese if their parents had divorced.

Looking at the reasons as to why this might be, the team said suggested the link could be as a result of a lower household income or an 'over-reliance' on convenience foods. The emotional stress from their parents' divorce could also be a factor, it was reported.

The study looked at data from 3,166 pupils, all aged eight, from 127 primary schools in Norway and who had participated in the 'Norwegian child growth study' in 2010. Their height, weight and waist circumference was measured, and it was also recorded if their parents were divorced or together.

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Overall, around one in five children was found to overweight or obese, while children with parents who had split were 54% more likely to be overweight or obese and 89% more likely to be obese than children whose parents remained married. Boys were 104% more likely to be obese if their parents were divorced.

Commenting on the findings, the team said that the results should still be treated with caution.

They explained: "One can only speculate whether the changing structure of daily life has a large effect on the children of divorced parents. The loss of various resources, like the absence of one of the parents or the loss of a parental figure, usually the father, can explain the negative implications of a divorce.

"A consequence might be less time for domestic tasks such as cooking and reliance on more convenient, ready-to-eat foods. As processed foods tend to be higher in fat and lower in nutritional value, the result is an altered, less healthy diet.

"The household income and support from any non-custodial parent or the welfare state is often lower than in non-disrupted families. Consequently, fewer economic resources may be available for divorced parents, which might lead to cheaper and less healthy choices.

"Other mechanisms affecting children's weight status through divorce, or a dissolved relationship, could be related to emotional stress."

(JP/IT)

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"A new study has claimed that children whose parents have divorced are more likely to become overweight or obese."