Parents who adopt healthier habits while trying to lose weight could have a positive impact on their children too, according to new research.
The study found that parents attending weight management groups reported changes in their children’s behaviour, including eating healthier foods and becoming more physically active.
The independent research, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and carried out by the University of Bristol, surveyed 396 Slimming World members with children aged between five and 11.
Almost half – 48 per cent – said what their child ate had improved after they joined the weight management programme, while 27 per cent reported their child had become more physically active.
Among parents who were concerned about their child’s weight, 67 per cent said tackling their own weight had made them more motivated to support their child.
Jane Sigley, who runs Slimming World groups in Audenshaw, Stalybridge and Hadfield, said the findings reflected experiences she regularly hears from local families.
She said: “I see the ripple effect of weight loss in my group every week. Parents often join wanting to improve their own health, yet soon they’re telling me their children are enjoying the healthier meals, the family is being more active together and everyone has more energy.
“We find community-based support plays a big role in that – when people share ideas, encouragement and real-life experiences, healthy changes are more likely to stick.
“Whether it’s cooking together, eating more healthily or finding fun ways to be active, those small changes can make a real difference to family life.”
Researchers said the findings could have implications for tackling childhood obesity, particularly as children whose parents live with obesity are themselves at greater risk.
Improving health and dissatisfaction with appearance were the two leading reasons parents gave for wanting to lose weight, each cited by 81 per cent of those surveyed.
Jane added: “It’s one of the things I love most about helping people to lose weight – seeing the positive effect it has on those around them too.
“With childhood obesity remaining stubbornly high, the message is simple: when we help parents make healthier choices, we’re not just improving one person’s health, we’re helping shape a healthier future for the next generation too.”
Professor Julian Hamilton-Shield, Professor in Diabetes and Metabolic Endocrinology at the University of Bristol and one of the lead researchers, said the findings strengthened the case for considering the whole family when developing adult weight management services.
He said: “Supporting parents doesn’t necessarily just improve outcomes for individuals – it may positively influence children’s everyday health behaviours such as their diets and activity levels.
“Weight management programmes that recognise and harness this family-wide benefit might potentially play an important role in creating healthier home environments and improving health outcomes for future generations.”
Jane runs Slimming World groups in Audenshaw on Saturday mornings, Stalybridge on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings, and Hadfield on Monday evenings and Tuesday mornings.
Anyone interested in joining can attend a group or contact Jane on 07775 996645.