Grandparents are shortening children's lives by doing this one thing
Grandparents who treat their grandchildren to biscuits and second-servings may think they are being kind but academics have said that spoiling the younger generation isn’t doing them any good.
Studies show that children who are looked after by their grandparents were found to be overweight.
A study of more than 15,000 children aged three found that those who are regularly looked after by their maternal grandmother were 20 per cent more likely to be chubby.
An academic review of 56 studies found that when grandparents “demonstrate their love” with treats and extra portions too high in sugar and fat, grandchildren's health may suffer.
The review led by the University of Glasgow said, “For weight-related studies, grandparents were characterised by parents as indulgent, misinformed and as using food as an emotional tool within their relationships with grandchildren.”
The review published in the journal PLOS One said grandparents use food “to demonstrate their love for their grandchild”.
Lead author Dr Stephanie Chambers from the University of Glasgow said, “Currently grandparents are not the focus of public health messaging targeted at parents and, in light of the evidence from this study, perhaps this is something that needs to change given the prominent role grandparents play in the lives of children."
However, academics also found evidence that grandparents also play an integral part in a child’s emotional wellbeing.
Grandparents play a “significant” role in supporting their grandchildren and improving their happiness.
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