Mothers Working Part Time Have Healthier Kids

By Cara

Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 14:43

'Can working women make good mothers' have always been a topic of discussion. This debate can go on and on but the fact that working mums raise healthier children has been proved by a new study.

Women who are working part time are said to raise healthier kids than their counterparts who stay at home or work full time.

The study highlights the fact that kids who have working mothers, especially those who work part time, eat less junk food, watch less TV and are less likely to be overweight or obese.

The study group carried out face-to-face interviews with mothers and measured their child's height and weight once when they are 4-5 years old and later, when they are seven years old.

The study found that over 4,500 Australian preschoolers were allowed to watch about an hour less of television by their part time working mothers. Their kids consumed fewer snack foods and had more time to exercise.

The researchers said: "Although employment reduces the time parents spend at home, mothers go to considerable lengths to spend time with their children.
"They reschedule activities, sleep less and allocate less time to personal care and leisure to ensure that time with children is protected."

However, it was seen that the women engaged in full-time work are likely to have unhealthier children.