Good relationship between mother and child reduces risk of obesity in adolescence

The quality of the relationship between the mother and her child may affect the child's likelihood of developing obesity during adolescence, suggests a new study by Ohio State University (USA). In order to reach the conclusion, the researchers analyzed data from 997 participants from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The sample included several families whose children were born in 1991.

Trained observers assessed the child's attachment to the mother and maternal sensitivity, documenting the interactions between mother and child at three times: when the children were 15, 24, and 36 months old of age. To measure maternal sensitivity, mothers were instructed to play with their children, while the researchers scored various aspects of the mother's behavior, which included support and respect for the child's autonomy, as well as signs of intrusion and hostility. researchers also assessed safety in the relationship of 15- and 36-month-old children to the mother, monitoring the moments of separation and reunion with their mothers. At the age of 24 months, the researchers evaluated this safety by looking at the relationship at home.

Maternal sensitivity refers to the mother's ability to recognize her child's emotional state and respond with comfort, consistency, and affection. Psychologists describe a child with secure connections with his mother as those who have a kind of "safe harbor" in their parents, allowing children to explore environments freely, adapt to people easily, and be comforted in stressful situations. Children ages one to three who have unsafe connections tend to have negative experiences with their parents and can respond to stress with extreme anger, anxiety, and avoid or refuse interaction with others.

Parent-Child Quality Index

Using these factors - maternal sensitivity and safety in the child's connection with her mother - the researchers developed a mother-child quality index that varied from zero to six and served to measure the relationship experience of the children: each point reflected a sample unsafe attachment of the child or low sensitivity of the mother. A score equal to or greater than three indicated a poor quality relationship.

The researchers then calculated the child's body mass index (BMI) using his weight and height at age 15 years. The BMI was converted into percentages by age and sex, based on the growth chart developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to these guidelines, the child was considered obese if the percentage was equal to or greater than 95 in this table.

In all, 241 children (or 24.7%) were classified as having a poor relationship with their mothers during the childhood. Among them, the prevalence of obesity in adolescence was 26.1%. The occurrence of obesity was lower among those who maintained good relationships: 15.5%, 12.1% and 13% among mothers and children with scores of two, one and zero, respectively. Thus, infants who had low-quality relationships with their mothers early in life were nearly two and a half times as likely to be obese as adolescents than those children who had better relationships with their mothers.

For researchers, the association between experiences during childhood and obesity in adolescence originates in the brain. The limbic system of the brain controls the response to stress, as well as the sleep-wake cycle, hunger and thirst and a variety of metabolic processes, mainly through hormonal regulation. They believe that sensitive parents create a healthy affective bond with their little ones by improving the response to stress. This well-regulated response can interfere with how the child sleeps and whether the child eats in response to emotional distress - and these are two of the factors that influence the likelihood of obesity.Obesity may be a manifestation of irregularities in the functioning of the stress response system. Parents help the child develop the ability to respond to feelings in a healthy way, protecting their child from extreme levels of stress.

Omitting parents generate growth of childhood obesity

children's diet. The conclusion is from a study, conducted at the Harvard Medical School (USA), regarding the growth of cases of childhood obesity. Following the routine of 440 parents of overweight children, doctors found that most of the time the problem is not in the lack of information: adults know what harms their children's health, but they feel insecure about banning them. bad habits.

Parents were encouraged to veto television at mealtimes, reduce fast food consumption, cut out soft drinks, require physical exercise and increase the number of meals made. But changes did not always happen: many adults felt they were punishing children by taking some of the measures the limitations on the use of television and family meals were the most disrespected rules. "Children learn a lot from the examples. If parents forbid meals in front of the television, but make snacks in bed, they lose their authority," she says. nutritionist of Minha Vida, Roberta Stella. "To maintain optimal health and weight, the routine of the whole family needs to be healthy. Without differences, it is easier to keep the line: if no one at home drinks soda, for example, temptation leaves the refrigerator"

O The study also found that adults who remained at ideal weight were more comfortable in enforcing bans on children than obese parents who were more reluctant to maintain restrictions. Self-confidence was also directly proportional to the level of parental study: those with a higher education degree were more firm.

Mother gives more than 100 liters of breast milk to hospital

Amy Bormann, Wisconsin, USA , donated about 110 liters of breast milk to a local hospital. She was nursing her second son, Gresyon, when she realized she had extra milk. Then, she began researching how to properly withdraw and store breast milk. Over time, Amy was able to store about 110 liters of breast milk in her freezer and decided to donate them to a local hospital.

(Family)

Is it time to put orthodontic appliances on children?

Children can and should also have orthodontic appliance treatments. Currently, with the resources available in Functional Jaw Orthopedics, it is possible to make use of removable appliances that rest on the roof of the mouth and gum and can be used on children with teeth or in the dental phase. be playful, colorful and with the characters that children like for treatment motivation.

(Family)