New study finds association between parents’ divorce and childhood obesity.

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US News recently published an article entitled “Kids’ Obesity Risk Rises With Parents’ Divorce”.   The article details a study that was done on 8 and 9 year old Norwegian school children.   The study found that overall, children whose parents were divorced were 54% more likely to be overweight or obese, and a shocking 89% more likely to have abdominal obesity in comparison to children whose parents were still married.

Interestingly, the study found that boys were significantly more prone to the weight gain than girls were.  Some attribute this phenomenon to the added stress sons of divorced parents may have due to a feeling of the need to become the “man in the house”

While there is a striking correlation between weight gain and children of divorced parents, the researchers of the study hesitate to state that divorce is the definitive cause of the weight gain.  However, divorce and obesity in kids is becoming even more increasingly common in many developed countries.

Contributors to the article cite stress and less parental supervision as particular reasons as to why children of divorced parents may be more susceptible to excessive weight gain.  Less physical activity and “emotional eating” can be forms of coping mechanisms families going through a divorce turn to.

The article provides several suggestions for divorcing parents on how to maintain healthy lifestyles.  One suggestion is for parents to try to cook more healthy meals, instead of eating out.  The authors also suggest trying to take the time to sit down and eat with your children.  Encouraging more physical activity and healthy coping mechanisms for your children are also good ways to prevent your children from gaining weight post divorce.

Divorce unfortunately has an effect on the entire family.  If you are considering filing for divorce or want to speak to a knowledgeable and experienced Long Island divorce attorney to discuss your options, please contact the Law Offices of Jay D. Raxenberg.

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