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Study: Behavioral Differences Influence Kids' Weight

WASHINGTON — A new study from the Food Marketing Institute and SymphonyIRI Group compares the attitudes, behaviors and rituals of families with at least one overweight child to those with healthy-weight children.

WASHINGTON — A new study from the Food Marketing Institute and SymphonyIRI Group compares the attitudes, behaviors and rituals of families with at least one overweight child to those with healthy-weight children. The research is the first in a series that will explore the topic.

“We have found that just a few differences in behaviors can make the difference between the path to overweight and obesity, and that of maintaining healthy-weight children,” said Thom Blischok, global president of innovation and strategy for SymphonyIRI, in a statement.

The research found:

• Children in healthy-weight families tend to be more involved in purchase decisions and food preparation than children in families with one or more overweight/obese children (76% of healthy-weight families vs. 72% of families with at least one overweight/obese child).

• Healthier households have fewer rules about eating (46% for healthy-weight families vs. 51% for families with at least one overweight/obese child). Just 28% of families with healthy-weight children apply the “finish what’s on your plate” rule vs. 38% for families with at least one overweight child.

• 78% of healthy-weight children play inside for 30 minutes or more per day, vs. 71% of overweight/obese children. Similarly, 84% of healthy-weight children play outside for 30 minutes or more per day vs. 79% for overweight/obese children.

• Parents of healthy-weight children place a premium on activities that lead to healthy-weight including daily exercise (valued by 92% of healthy-weight family parents vs. 88% of parents of one or more overweight child), access to fruit and vegetables in school (89% vs. 85%) and limiting fast food (86% vs. 83%).