selves and their children. The authors stated that a direct relationship has been found between maternal obesity, birth weight, and childhood obesity. Under-nutritional efforts can also result in later obesity. Welk (1999) also noted that beyond the possible biological determinants, parental behaviors affect childhood behaviors. Children of active parents are found to be more active. Parental encouragement, involvement, and role modeling all affect childhood eating and activity behaviors (Welk, 1999).
Muecke, Simons-Morton, Huang, and Parcel (1992) reported that other causes of obesity in children include high-fat foods and low physical activity. However, the authors also reported that studies evaluating the role of both food intake and activity levels in obese children, were lacking. The authors reviewed the literature and found: one case-control study concluded that obese children reach a state of equilibrium and do not overeat as much as suspected; another case
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