Data Mixed on Role of Parents and Caregivers in Combating Childhood Obesity

The fat leading the fat.

In the AHA statement, Faith and colleagues reviewed data where researchers experimentally changed the degree or nature of parental/adult caregiver involvement in affecting the weight of children. Just two of 12 studies found significant short-term differences in child weight status among parents who were more actively involved. Of the 12 studies, just three reported long-term differences in weight loss. On the whole, the randomized, controlled clinical data "provide limited support for the notion that greater parental involvement with their children in treatment leads to stronger outcomes," according to the AHA statement.

Of course it doesn't.

Fat parents have fat kids.

The reason the kids are fat is because the fat parents are involved.

Keeping fat parents involved keeps the kids fat.

Unless parents learn how to control their own weight, they will, with near certainty, never learn how to help their kids control their weight.