Over the past 35 years, the percentage of U.S. mothers in the workforce while raising kids has soared, from less than 50% to more than 70%. The childhood obesity rate, now closeclose to 17%, has more than tripled during that same time.
Coincidently, a new study published in Child Development, suggests the longer a mother works outside the home, the more likely her children are to be overweight or obese.
The study estimates, for each additional five-month period his or her mother works, a child of average height can be expected to gain 1 extra pound more than normal growth. 6th graders with working mothers were found to be 6 times more likely overweight than those with stay-at-home moms.
The researchers weren’t really sure why this was so.
“It is possible that because 5th and 6th graders generally have more independence and less adult supervision over their time use and food choices than 3rd graders, maternal employment precipitates poorer food choices and more sedentary activity.”
Are the time constraints on a working mother/father to make healthy meals a factor? Is this a consequence of going against God’s design for the home and family?
What do YOU think?
Unlocking Femininity 
I am a working momma. Not by choice but none the less this is the life I have. I would say that there is a huge reality on time constrants. After working all day you come home and want to spend quality time with your children, yet you are worn out and there is laundry that needs done. You may not have the energy to plan a really healthy meal and you may not have the time to prep.cook.cleanup from that healthy meal. So it is all too easy to just order in or take out something easy that sounds good (this choices are not often healthy for us).
I believe that the beauty of the plan that God has for men and women with all of the details involved really doeshold value and blessings that outway going against His design. (Spoken again from the working mom who wants to be at home with her kiddo!)
That is an interesting finding! I know I tend to be more particular about what Rachel eats than others are—so there definitely could be correlation!
Thank you Joy!
I disagree Jennifer. In Genesis, Adam is given the responsiblity to tend and keep the garden—ie responsibility to provide for the family. Eve’s responsbility pertained to helping Adam and childbearing. In the New Testament in Titus 2, women are instructed to be “workers at home.” I think the Bible does indicate that this is the best design for the family. Plus, I don’t think anyone was trying to be judgemental at all.
Ashley—I pray that the Lord will provide a way for you to be home. Your heart is obviously in the right place.
Uh, you’re being a bit harsh, don’t you think? The Bible doesn’t say anything about working moms and dads being or not being His design for the family. Take a chill pill and stop being so freaking judgmental.
I do believe that this is a consequence of going against God’s design for the home and family. I strongly disagree with Jennifer, it does clearly say in the Bible (as Joy has pointed out), that God does give us clean cut examples of gender roles, and what the man should be doing, and what the woman should be doing. I know that not every woman can stay at home and be with her children…but, that is unfortuante. Because, being with your children and being the keeper of the home I believe, is what God designed women for. I have noticed that a household runs a lot more smoothly when the man is out fending for his family, while the woman is at home going about her duties as a wife: washing dishes, making beds, doing laundry, cooking, vacuuming, sewing, going shopping etc etc. About being negative, I personally didn’t feel like this post sounded judgmental at all. Perhaps you perceived it as judgmental because you don’t agree?
-May God richly bless all of you, Tina.