There is a stigma attached to the parents of obese children. Often, people assume that they simply allow their child to eat whatever they want, whenever they want. This study demonstrated that the reverse was true. As Dr. Pesch explains, “They were attentive and actively trying to get their children to eat less junk food.”
However, the scientists noted a subtly different linguistic approach. According to their findings, the caregivers of obese children were 90 percent more likely to use direct language, such as “Only eat one” or “You’re eating both of those? No! Don’t! Oh my gosh.”
The mothers of children at a healthy weight, however, were more likely to use indirect phrases, such as “That’s too much. You haven’t had dinner.”
Authoritarian behavior backfires. Kind, authoritative statements work. “Never be authoritarian. Always be authoritative.”
