Working mums have heavier children

Research has found that mothers who work have, on average, heavier children — even more so if they are single

Britain’s childhood obesity crisis has long been blamed on too many fizzy drinks, too much fast food and not enough exercise. Now researchers have identified another culprit directly linked to the rising weight of children: mothers who work either full or part-time.

The study of children born between 2000 and 2002 claims to be the first to provide “causal evidence” linking a mother’s employment to the weight of her offspring.

The effects are most pronounced for single mothers working full-time, but also related to working mothers who have partners.

“We find that children whose mothers work are more likely to have increased sedentary behaviour and poorer dietary habits,” concludes one of the study’s authors, Professor Emla Fitzsimons, from University College London Institute of Education.


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/working-mums-have-heavier-children-nllkwbpw0

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6791165/Scientists-blame-working-mothers-Britains-childhood-obesity-epidemic-study-20-000.html