Parents and Pre-Schoolers Who Diet Together, Lose Weight Together
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Goodshoot/Thinkstock(BUFFALO, N.Y.) — The obesity epidemic in the U.S. affects all ages, even children of pre-school age.
Parents who are concerned about their youngsters’ weight are strongly advised to do something about it. And, as University of Buffalo researchers point out, they may want to join their kids in a weight-loss program as well.
According to a study of overweight and obese preschoolers, those who went through behavioral treatment and diet education with a parent gained four pounds less on average over 24 months than children who were treated separately.
But that’s not the only advantage to a joint weight loss program. The UB researchers say that parents also lost 14 pounds over a comparable period of time. Adults who tried the same program but without kids experienced no appreciable weight loss.
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