Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Study Suggests Parents Discriminate Against Overweight Children

Do parents actually discriminate against their own children who are overweight?

A new study from the University of North Texas found that parents help their slim children buy cars and pay for college more often than they help their overweight brothers and sisters.

The research team took out factors that could influence parents' choices to provide financial help, such as parental income, a child's gender, and whether the child had been in trouble with authorities. Heavier children were more likely to pay for their own automobiles and their educations.

The study appears in the journal Obesity.

Labels: childhood_obesity, parents

Posted By: Jane St. Clair

Comments:

Kelly on 12/13/2010
Dr. Phil just recently did a show about teens who endure criticism and feel controlled by their parents about their weight. It was a real eye opener about how much these teens felt like their parents, even though their hearts are in the right place, treated them differently than their other siblings because of their weight. Dr. Phil's website has blogs from each teen that was featured. One was given the help of a nutritionist to personalize a plan for her. The other was sent to Structure House, a treatment facility for obesity, in order to put new habits in place to start a healthier lifestyle.
Chelsea on 11/19/2010
That's just sad, but it's reflective of a society that often discriminates against overweight people in places like the job market.