In addition to peace of mind, grandparent-provided childcare usually costs less than a nanny or daycare center, which is a big plus in today’s harsh economy. It also gives the children time to develop a strong relationship with their grandparents, something that’s not always possible when visits are limited to holidays and special occasions. But the reality of grandparents babysitting is often different from the concept. After all, being a childcare provider is a very different relationship than that of the traditional grandparent, who is free to spoil the child with extra TV, late bedtimes, and unlimited junk food—indulgences that could lead to problems over time.
One of those problems is obesity. In fact, a new report by the International Journal of Obesity found that young children who are regularly cared for by their grandparents have an increased risk of being overweight. The analysis of 12,000 three-year-olds showed the risk of being overweight was 34 percent higher for children whose grandparents cared for them full time, and 15 percent higher if they were cared for part time by their grandparents. However, the increased risk was apparent only in the most advantaged children; those whose mothers had a managerial or professional job, a degree, or who lived with a partner.
Those who were taken care of by other relatives or friends were also shown to have an increased risk of being overweight, but only if that was full time. On the contrary, children with nannies or who went to daycares had no increased risk of weight problems.
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