Unsafe infants are more likely to be obese (time.com)

Each measure mother-child bond is an ideal value seeking, but new research underscores its importance, to find that infants, which are securely attached might not a higher risk of being obese before they begin kindergarten at all.

Researchers at the Ohio State University and Temple University data from 6,650 US children crunched was born in the year 2001, the to the age of 2 were evaluated and again at 4 1/2 years. If the children were aged 24 months, researchers spent two hours watch them at home with their mothers interact. Evaluated under the 45 behaviors: could upset children are comforted by the contact with their mothers? Was looking for the children hugs and physical touch of their mothers?

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The children who were the lowest scoring after 24 months their body mass index calculated as "not securely fastened;" as a researcher, they found the uncertainly attached children were 30% more obese after age 4 1/2, that recently in the journal according to the study, archives of Pediatrics & adolescent medicine was released.

Researchers for a variety of other factors, including dietary habits and health of mothers, controlled but could otherwise account for the essential link between emotional safety and weight.

In fact, found the study only every child attachment security score and future weight taking into account that the emotionally insecure young children 48% probability is obese at 4 1/2, had. The young children when not securely fastened were compared to 16.6% of the securely attached children 23% at 4½ overweight.

The results show that it maybe time to expand our understanding of the causes of obesity: an overweight child can be far more than serving size and healthy diet. Other studies have shown that stress and an exaggerated stress response to regulate the body's ability to interfere with body weight. When you consider that children, the ability to regulate their emotions and react stress during childhood based on their interactions with their caregivers formed the hypothesis is scientists that children are not securely connected are at higher risk for obesity.

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"The same areas of the brain regulate stress response and appetite control, so, if a child is stressed because he is not too popular, it is more likely be later obese and will react also food as a way to emphasize use" says Sarah Anderson, Author of leading Assistant Professor of epidemiology at the Ohio State University and the study.

Securely attached child is sure that her supervisor allow to explore it and new experiences find answers quickly is. On the other hand, can not safely attached kids, shy way of interaction with others and angry or fearful to stressful situations to respond.

The study looked not to whether the increased rates of obesity of the pre-kindergarten maintained year. "We know that children who are obese tend to that is a reason why it is important obesity prevention, obese, remain," says Anderson. "It is difficult for all people to lose weight, so that is why it is good to prevent that it instead of dealing with you."

Anderson says more to policy makers as a parent, is their study but it does not mean, moms and dads should take note.

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"I can say my reading of the obesity research literature and child development literature that there develop as their children, many good reasons why to test it, so important for parents good capacity for emotional regulation can help" says Anderson. "I can feel very comfortable saying that this is not harmful." And if it prevents obesity that, so much better. "

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