Putting Kids in Daycare Increases Obesity Risk

A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics warns that putting your children in daycare could increase the chances they become overweight or obese. Researchers at University of Montreal and the CHU Sainte-Justine-Hospital Research Center surveyed more than 1,600 families in Quebec, Canada, between 1997 and 1998.

The mothers were asked about who were taking care of their kids when they were 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4 years old and were then divided into different categories depending on where they spent majority of their time.

The researchers found that those who were spending most of their time in daycare centers were 50 percent more likely to be obese or overweight between 4 and 10 years of age. “We found that children whose primary care arrangement between 1.5 and 4 years was in daycare-center or with an extended family member were around 50% more likely to be overweight or obese between the ages of 4-10 years compared to those cared for at home by their parents.”, lead researcher Dr Marie-Claude Geoffroy said.



Source-Medindia