In Babies and more We know that good nutrition is one of the bases for children and babies to grow healthy and have the best possible development. From sharing recipes to publicizing tips to improve our children's eating habits, we focus on supporting mothers and fathers to achieve a balanced diet.
Now, a study that focused on analyzing how the work situation of mothers influences the eating habits of children. We share your results.
The study
Published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study analyzed the relationship between the employment status of mothers in countries with medium to low income, with the quality of their children's food.
Using demographic data and health surveys from 50 different countries, the researchers divided the mothers into three groups: those who had formal employment, those who had informal employment and those who were unemployed.
Similarly, they divided the babies and children into three groups: those who received exclusive breastfeeding, another group by the amount of diversity in food and another group according to the frequency with which they received food. Those in the first group included babies up to six months of age, while the other two included six-month-old babies to two-year-old children.
It was found that those children who were children of mothers who worked outside the home, whether in formal or informal employment, they had better quality in their diet and consumed food more frequently, compared to the children of mothers who had no job.
In the case of babies who were exclusively breastfed, no difference was found between the different groups of mothers. But nevertheless, reaffirmed a problem that we have spoken on previous occasions: The probability that the children of mothers working outside the home will continue breastfeeding beyond the first year of age was much lower compared to those who did not work.
Although the researchers consider that the reasons why the differences in children's eating habits are so noticeable, this may be due to the fact that as mothers also work, family incomes increase, which allows them to make better purchases and have access to better quality products.
Other things that also influence the feeding of your children
As with many other scientific studies, the results that researchers have obtained show us a tendency or probability that things are a certain way, but this does not mean that what they have found is written in stone.
When it comes to food, There are several factors that influence the habits that our children will have when eating, from his childhood to his adult life. And while the fact that the mother - who in this case was the one who focused on the study - works outside the home or stays with them during the day influences them, there are also other things that do.
Starting by our own food and the example we set for them as parents. Children are imitators and they learn by watching carefully everything we do and say. It is natural that if they watch us eat certain foods, they are curious to try them and know for themselves their flavors, textures and smells.
Therefore, if we want children to have a balanced and healthy diet, we must do it ourselves. Being parents gives us an excellent opportunity to correct those bad habits that by laziness or procrastination we have allowed them to continue being part of our lives, because now there are little eyes watching everything we do.
How can we, then, encourage good nutrition for our children? In addition to setting the example with our own food, we must seek always offer healthy foods such as fruits or vegetables, instead of sweets or goodies. It will help a lot that when making the purchases of the week, we use our budget, whatever it is, intelligently and buy the best food for our family.
Also, let's make mealtime always a time to live with family, so that we can be attentive to what they eat and also have the opportunity to give them try new and good foods.
Photos | iStock
Via | Medical News Bulletin
In Babies and more | Healthy eating habits for children: what to do and what to avoid, Working mothers, decreased breastfeeding
