(From Healthy Families):

Early childhood attachment and obesity. Why would these two issues even show up in the same sentence? Well, according to research recently published in the journal Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, insecure mother-child attachment is linked to a greater risk of obesity in young children.

Researchers at Ohio State University and Temple University studied 6,650 children, evaluating them twice, first at age 2 and again at 4 ½. The researchers observed the children at home with their mothers, looking for 45 behavioral cues including: could upset children be comforted through contact with their mothers? Did the children seek out hugs and physical touch from their mothers? 

The results? Researchers found that toddlers that were considered “insecurely attached” had a 30% greater chance of being obese at 4 ½. Sarah Anderson, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Ohio State University and the study’s lead author explains that “The same areas of the brain regulate stress response and appetite control, so if a child is stressed because he’s not being attended to, it’s more likely he will be obese later on and will also use food as a way to respond to stress.”. 

David Sheftel, Program Coordinator at the BC Council for Families, notes that, “Time and time again research shows us just how immense and far-reaching the effects of parent-child attachment can be. A secure attachment can increase positive emotional, behavioral and health outcomes for children.”

When a toddler feels confident that his parent will give him quick, consistent and sensitive responses to his needs he feels free to explore and seek out new experiences. Sheftel adds,”Developing a secure attachment during the first 2 years of an infant’s life builds the foundation on which a child bases his views of how safe the world is, what a healthy relationship is and develops his ability to self regulate. All are important aspects of brain development which will last a child throughout his whole life,’.

To learn more about attachment, check out David’s article in the most recent issue of Family Connections magazine. Attachment resources can also be found in the Resource section of our website.