Research shows dad, not mum, is the big risk factor for childhood obesity.研究表明，爸爸（而不是媽媽）是兒童肥胖的首要風險因素。

A recent Australian study has found having an overweight father quadruples a child's chance of being overweight, even if they have a mother of normal weight.澳大利亞最近的一項研究表明，在家里，即使媽媽的體重正常，只要爸爸超重，孩子超重的幾率就會增加3倍。

Interestingly, the reverse [w]scenario[/w] doesn't have the same result. So if the mother is overweight but the father is of normal weight, the child's risk of being overweight is not significantly raised.有趣的是，如果情況相反，爸爸體重正常媽媽超重，就不會出現(xiàn)上面的結(jié)果，孩子超重的幾率不會顯著提高。

The study was undertaken by researchers at the University of Newcastle, who examined more than 3000 two-parent families over a four-year period. Researchers measured the children's change of weight from about four to five years of age to when they were eight or nine.這項研究是由紐卡斯爾大學的研究人員進行的，他們對三千多個雙親家庭進行了為時四年多的研究。研究人員從孩子們在八歲或九歲時開始對孩子的體重進行測量，對他們的體重變化進行了四到五年的研究。

Dr Emily Freeman, a researcher with the University of Newcastle Family Action Centre, says while it is early days in terms of this type of research, the results of the study are very exciting.艾米莉-弗里曼博士是紐卡斯爾大學家庭行動中心的研究人員，她說這種類型的研究現(xiàn)在還處于早期階段，研究結(jié)果非常令人興奮。

"It's really important we've found this link, because a lot of the research tends to focus on mothers and children," she says. "We've had lots of stories of dads refusing to eat vegetables, then the kids don't eat them either."“我們發(fā)現(xiàn)了體重和爸爸之間的關(guān)系，這是非常重要的。因為很多研究更傾向于媽媽和孩子之間的關(guān)系，”她說。“我們有很多爸爸不吃蔬菜，孩子也不吃蔬菜的例子?！?/p>

She says further research is needed to understand the underlying reasons for the link.她說，還需要進一步的研究來理清這種關(guān)系之間的潛在原因。

Making a change作出改變

So what can fathers do to become better role models for their kids?父親該怎么做，才能更好地成為孩子們的榜樣？

"They should definitely be more aware of the different behaviours they are modelling to their kids; they need to demonstrate they're eating fruit and vegies and get outside more," says Dr Freeman, who has been involved with Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids, an education program in the Hunter Valley in NSW, and has seen these actions bring encouraging results.“他們絕對應該清楚不同的行為對孩子的影響；他們需要告訴孩子們，他們吃水果和蔬菜。出去吃飯的時候也要點更多的水果和蔬菜?！备ダ锫┦空f，她參與了新南威爾士州獵人谷的一項教育計劃——“健康爸爸、健康孩子” ，她發(fā)現(xiàn)這些行為確實帶來了振奮人心的效果。

"It doesn't have to be formal organised sport activities – even kicking a football around or taking the kids to the park is fantastic. It's an opportunity for dads to spend more time with their children."“并不非得是正式組織的體育活動——在周圍踢踢球或帶著孩子去公園都是不錯的活動。這些都是爸爸和孩子享受親子時光的好時機。

Easy tips for getting active with kids和孩子一起活動的幾個簡單貼士

Plan a family day out at your local pool.制定計劃，找一天讓一家人都去當?shù)氐挠斡境赝妗?/p>

On wet days, put on your [w=gumboot]gumboots[/w] and go out for a splash in the puddles.下雨天，穿上雨靴，出去踩踩水。

Organise a family bike ride.組織家人一起騎單車。

Involve kids in physical activities around the home, such as gardening or washing the car.讓孩子在家里進行一些體力活動，比如做園藝或洗車。

Walk to nearby shops together instead of driving.一起走著去附近的商店，而不是開車去。

Fly a kite on windy days.在有風的天氣里放風箏。

Encourage organised sports. Watch kids compete and provide positive feedback.鼓勵有組織的體育活動?？春⒆颖荣惒⒔o出積極的反饋信息。