Obesity : a study will try to overcome socioeconomic issues

“One of the areas that has not received very much attention in the past is the home environment”, said Byrd-Bredbenner, an Extension Specialist in the Department of Nutritional Science. “We know that kids learn a lot by observing their parents and the home provides them with opportunities”. She said the household determines the quality of food, sleep and exercise among children — all key factors in obesity.

The study will try to determine how to prevent childhood obesity by monitoring suggested lifestyle changes in 900 households who have obese or at-risk children because of lower socioeconomic status, membership of certain ethnic groups or a history of gestational diabetes. Subjects will receive at-home visitations or online material teaching families how to make healthier food. The 18-month study will feature 600 families in New Jersey and 300 families in Arizona. Households participating in the study will receive materials that will educate them on dietary health and suggest changes in diet and physical activity for at-risk children, Byrd-Bredbenner said. Her research will monitor the effectiveness of these tools.

I think the most interesting part of this study will be about how parents are willing to change their lifestyle. Is this changing will have a real impact on children ? Not so long ago I was coping with socioeconomic issues, and let me say it’s very hard to maintain a healthy nutrition. My main interest in this study will be how parents will be able to serve healthy foods to their children with a low income.