Australian study finds low-educated parents have more obese children

William Atkins
Thursday, 11 September 2008 20:20

Science - Health

Dr. O’Dea stated, "The most poignant message from this data is that we have been operating since the year 2000 in a huge media and social panic about obesity in Australia and it hasn't made one iota of change, especially in the low-income areas.” [Herald Sun: “Poorly educated parents more likely to have obese children”]

She added, from the same Herald Sun article, "The sort of banging on, the exposure, shame and blame approach to obesity prevention has certainly not had any impact in those people who need it most, namely in the lowest socio-economic groups.''

Dr. O’Dea also made these comment: "Those issues of education will follow through generations.” and "If the mothers don't know how to read a food label then perhaps their children won't either.''

She urges the Australian government to provide more education on food, nutrition, and the medical problems associated with obesity and being overweight.