Household routines may prevent obesity in preschoolers

A study published in the journal Paediatrics has found that preschoolers living in households where they routinely eat meals with the family, get adequate sleep and have limits on the amount of time they can spend watching TV/videos, were less obese than those who came from households without these routines (1).

The study sample consisted of 8550 four year olds who had been involved in the US  2005  Early Longitudinal  Study, Birth Cohort. The association between  childhood obesity ( BMI > or = to 95th percentile) and 3 household routines were measured.  The 3 household routines were:- regularly eating the evening meal with the family on more than 5 nights per week; having adequate sleep of at least 10.5 hours/night on weekdays; and limiting screen viewing time to 2 or less hours during weekdays. Analyses were adjusted for variables such as race, income, education.

The incidence of obesity in children who followed all 3 routines was 14.3% compared to 24.5% in those who weren't exposed to any of the routines. Each of the routines alone  reduced the prevalence of obesity but children following all 3 routines had a 40% less risk of obesity.

Helping parents establish these 3 simple routines- eating meals with the family, ensuring adequate sleep ( a bedtime routine) and restricting screen viewing ( TV, video, computer) may help to prevent childhood obesity.

References

1. Anderson SE, Whitaker RC. Household routines and obesity in US preschool-aged children. Paediatrics Published online  Feb 8 2010 (doi10.1542/peds.2009-0417) http://paediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-0417v1?maxtosho..