Pre-schoolers may be more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI)- an indicator of being overweight or obese when their fathers are either permissive or disengaged as parents.
Researchers from the Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia determined parenting styles of the fathers and mothers of 4,983 children
Overall, about 15% of the children were overweight and five% were obese.
The parents reported their parenting behaviour on 3 items (warmth, control and irritability) and were each categorised by the researchers as having 1 of 4 parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and disengaged).
The study revealed that the risk of having a higher BMI increased by 59 per cent if the children's father was classified as permissive, as opposed to an authoritative parent.
It was also found that greater paternal control was strongly associated with a decreased likelihood of the child having a higher BMI.
Also, while disengaged fathers increased this risk by 35 per cent, no similar association was found between the mothers' parenting style and their preschooler's weight.
The findings suggest that children fare best with parents who are warm, firm and authoritative at the same time. The findings appeared in a recent issue of journal Pediatrics.
What do you think? Do you agree with with these findings? Share your opinions
Alvaro Castillo has been researching on healthy parenting for many years. Check his website for more information in http://www.myhomeparent.com/
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