Does overweight parents mean overweight baby?

KatelynsMummy · Jul 19th, 2011, 10:45 AM

Just been speaking to my friend, and she is convinced that overweight parents=overweight baby and underweight parents=underweight baby (by underweight she means not gaining weight as quick)
What do you think? I dont think this is true as my sister and her OH are both overweight and her LO is an "average" size for his age...
Me and my OH are underweight (I was before preg and slowly getting there again) and our LO gains weight OK, not slowly, and not quickly either... So, what are your thoughts?!

I know some studies show that its true as an anti fat pill has been introduced in some areas, but tbh, i think thats BS!

CharlieKeys · Jul 19th, 2011, 10:51 AM

I think it's more to do with how you feed your child and whether you get them involved with healthy activities personally. I mean I know I put on weight soooo easily - just have to look at a chocolate bar and I gain half a stone! And yes I am a bit overweight but it can be sorted after I've had baby 2! But we give Stephen no junk food and we encourage him to have a healthy relationship with fruit, veggies etc I don't force him to eat them but we make them look appealing etc and he's so active! When he's old enough we'll encourage him to take on sports etc - so I only think an overweight child is down to overweight parents if you let your habits become theirs iygwim?

Ps my parents are overweight too and my two brothers are the skinniest people I know

bunnyg82 · Jul 19th, 2011, 13:47 PM

Both me and my husband are very very overweight - and my son is on the 9th centile! Was on the 2nd centile for ages. So, I would say in my experience no! I am very conscious of ensuring my son has a very healthy diet, with lots of fruit and vegetables and as little "added sugar" as possible in his food. I am determined that he has the best start and that he doesn't end up unhappy and unhealthy like me! x

sjminimac · Jul 19th, 2011, 14:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunnyg82

Both me and my husband are very very overweight - and my son is on the 9th centile! Was on the 2nd centile for ages. So, I would say in my experience no! I am very conscious of ensuring my son has a very healthy diet, with lots of fruit and vegetables and as little "added sugar" as possible in his food. I am determined that he has the best start and that he doesn't end up unhappy and unhealthy like me! x

Exactly this

tina3747 · Jul 19th, 2011, 14:26 PM

I think the problems start more later in th childs life. When they're on milk and solids they eat what they want and can't over eat, once choices come into the equation that's when the problems can start. If you have parents choosing bad foods the child will only follow suit. I've seen people giving 1 yr olds maccy d's... Why o why would you!!!

buddyIV · Jul 19th, 2011, 14:30 PM

I can see how both sides of the argument can be justified:

Over/underweight parents might pass down a predisposition to gain weight easily or with difficulty, and thier poor eating habits (whether eating poorly, too much, or not enough) can easily be learned by the child;

Equally, I can see that there is no reason why, no matter their own lifestyle and natural bodyshape, a parent can instill a very healthy relationship with food, encourage a balanced diet and ensure an active lifestlye.

I think I fall on the latter side of things and think that, with a careful approach, over/underweight parents can easily end up raising an average weight child.

bumpy_j · Jul 19th, 2011, 14:36 PM

Well my OH and I have been underweight all our lives and my LO was 8lb 5 at birth - I know a lot of bigger ladies that had a lot lighter babies (inc. at his age now), so I don't think it really correlates. But I do believe things like metabolism carry a slight hereditary factor.

ttc_lolly · Jul 19th, 2011, 14:37 PM

I think it's definitely there in the genetics, but more so by what you are eating/feeding your LO and habits they pick up from you.

mrsraggle · Jul 19th, 2011, 14:41 PM

I'm very overweight, but my DH has a normal BMI. Ellie has been on the 25th centile since birth. I'm very conscious of making sure she eats healthily, with a few treats (NOT being allowed treats at home was a large reason why I ended up so fat - I gorged on them at school with my pocket money!).

Katt · Jul 19th, 2011, 15:43 PM

This is interesting http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13119545
Not so much big parents big baby, more about diet. You can be as skinny as a rake but if your diet during prgnancy is bad then it seems to suggest it will affect lo.

All I wanted to eat during the first f months of prgnancy was chips, bread, stodge! Oh dear!

Jul 19th, 2011, 10:45 AM	#1
KatelynsMummy Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Yorkshire! Posts: 1,690	Does overweight parents mean overweight baby? Just been speaking to my friend, and she is convinced that overweight parents=overweight baby and underweight parents=underweight baby (by underweight she means not gaining weight as quick) What do you think? I dont think this is true as my sister and her OH are both overweight and her LO is an "average" size for his age... Me and my OH are underweight (I was before preg and slowly getting there again) and our LO gains weight OK, not slowly, and not quickly either... So, what are your thoughts?! I know some studies show that its true as an anti fat pill has been introduced in some areas, but tbh, i think thats BS!

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Jul 19th, 2011, 10:51 AM	#2
CharlieKeys Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 5,249	I think it's more to do with how you feed your child and whether you get them involved with healthy activities personally. I mean I know I put on weight soooo easily - just have to look at a chocolate bar and I gain half a stone! And yes I am a bit overweight but it can be sorted after I've had baby 2! But we give Stephen no junk food and we encourage him to have a healthy relationship with fruit, veggies etc I don't force him to eat them but we make them look appealing etc and he's so active! When he's old enough we'll encourage him to take on sports etc - so I only think an overweight child is down to overweight parents if you let your habits become theirs iygwim? Ps my parents are overweight too and my two brothers are the skinniest people I know

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Jul 19th, 2011, 13:47 PM	#3
bunnyg82 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 7,799	Both me and my husband are very very overweight - and my son is on the 9th centile! Was on the 2nd centile for ages. So, I would say in my experience no! I am very conscious of ensuring my son has a very healthy diet, with lots of fruit and vegetables and as little "added sugar" as possible in his food. I am determined that he has the best start and that he doesn't end up unhappy and unhealthy like me! x

Status: Offline

Jul 19th, 2011, 14:26 PM	#5
tina3747 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Leicester uk Posts: 3,551	I think the problems start more later in th childs life. When they're on milk and solids they eat what they want and can't over eat, once choices come into the equation that's when the problems can start. If you have parents choosing bad foods the child will only follow suit. I've seen people giving 1 yr olds maccy d's... Why o why would you!!!

Status: Offline

Jul 19th, 2011, 14:30 PM	#6
buddyIV Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 766	I can see how both sides of the argument can be justified: Over/underweight parents might pass down a predisposition to gain weight easily or with difficulty, and thier poor eating habits (whether eating poorly, too much, or not enough) can easily be learned by the child; Equally, I can see that there is no reason why, no matter their own lifestyle and natural bodyshape, a parent can instill a very healthy relationship with food, encourage a balanced diet and ensure an active lifestlye. I think I fall on the latter side of things and think that, with a careful approach, over/underweight parents can easily end up raising an average weight child.

Status: Offline

Jul 19th, 2011, 14:36 PM	#7
bumpy_j Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Northamptonshire Posts: 3,727	Well my OH and I have been underweight all our lives and my LO was 8lb 5 at birth - I know a lot of bigger ladies that had a lot lighter babies (inc. at his age now), so I don't think it really correlates. But I do believe things like metabolism carry a slight hereditary factor.

Status: Offline

Jul 19th, 2011, 14:37 PM	#8
ttc_lolly Mum (Mom) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: West Herts Posts: 20,511	I think it's definitely there in the genetics, but more so by what you are eating/feeding your LO and habits they pick up from you.

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Jul 19th, 2011, 14:41 PM	#9
mrsraggle Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Birmingham/South Staffs Posts: 10,235	I'm very overweight, but my DH has a normal BMI. Ellie has been on the 25th centile since birth. I'm very conscious of making sure she eats healthily, with a few treats (NOT being allowed treats at home was a large reason why I ended up so fat - I gorged on them at school with my pocket money!).

Status: Offline

Jul 19th, 2011, 15:43 PM	#10
Katt Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,321	This is interesting http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13119545 Not so much big parents big baby, more about diet. You can be as skinny as a rake but if your diet during prgnancy is bad then it seems to suggest it will affect lo. All I wanted to eat during the first f months of prgnancy was chips, bread, stodge! Oh dear!

Status: Offline

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