Dads have the power to make the whole family healthy, according to a new study.
A new study has found that dads have the power to make the whole family healthy.
Researchers at the University of Newcastle have found that kids copy their father's diets and exercise regimes.They will conduct the world-first study - Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids - funded by the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
The six-month study has shown that kids mimic their fathers over their mothers when it comes to healthy eating and exercise.
Associate Professor Philip Morgan, who heads the new program, saw surprising results in a previous trial involving 165 overweight children.
He found kids who lost the most weight had fathers who were engaged in the new eating and exercise plan.
In another trial, involving 65 men in an online weight loss program, he found that the children of men involved - and even their wives - also shed kilos.
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"Fathers influence the food and physical activity habits in the home through their behaviours, attitudes and approach to food and eating, and act as a role model to their children," he added.
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"We have seen striking results. These dads are still allowed to have a beer and enjoy things in moderation. It was subtle changes to their nutritional habits that made the difference. They see their lives change, they sleep better, and have much more fun together," he said.
Source-ANI
RAS/S