If you have kids, better check your fat intake

by Brian White (Subscribe to Brian White's posts)
Dec 29th 2006 2:08PM

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

Do you have kids? If so, you may be eating more fat than adults in childless homes, according to a new study. The study suggested that the fat intake of adults living with under-17 children was five grams higher per day than childless adults.

"It's not a large amount, but if you do that every day, over time that adds up to be a lot of fat," says Helena Laroche, MD, an author of the study. I agree -- five grams a fat per day is not that much. But, over a long period of time, it can add up to quite a bit of fat.

It makes sense that the dietary habits of kids affects the eating habits of adults in the same household -- even though the reverse has been studied for years.

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Kimberly 12-30-2006 @ 6:43AM

While it may be true that adults with children have a slightly higher fat intake ratio, parents tend to burn more the extra fat a calories by taking care of their children. I'm not saying that parents are more active, just in different ways. If a parent is involved with their child, and not living a sedative lifestyle, they are very active in the activities that their child is involved in. Parents also have a choice in what they take into their own bodies. Buy that whole milk for the kids, and then buy also the 2% or skim milk for yourself. Instead of buying chips and cookies every week, buy fruit and vegetables. It all comes down to the choices we make in our everyday lives. In our home, we have three children. We also only go to Micky D's once a month as a special treat. I have the meat dept. mix beef and turkey for my burgers and pork and turkey for my sausage. We add our own seasonings. The choice is a thought process and sometimes not a convenience. But once you get a routine in place, it does become simpler.