Are Kids Bad for Your Health?

by SodaHead Living Posted 2011/04/11 18:56:59

Related Topics: parents, Kids, Health, Exercise, Baby Weight, Diet

637 votes
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	Yes	217 votes	34%
	No	420 votes	66%

A recent study published in Time's Healthland has shown that having children takes more of a toll on parents than we suspected. Mothers don't just have baby weight to worry about; both parents also commonly suffer from diet problems and a lack of exercise.

We imagine there are some busy parents out there who will disagree with the "lack of exercise" part.

In the latest knock against parenthood, researchers from the University of Minnesota looked at 838 women and 682 men and concluded that having children — particularly for moms — is linked to an array of negative outcomes. Mothers had a higher body-mass index and didn't eat as healthily as childless women, chugging more sugary drinks and eating more total calories and saturated fat.

Time also noted that "the research didn't focus on what the difference might be attributed to."

Obviously, having kids is a trade-off. You take the good with the bad. But should parents really be blaming their kids for their health issues, or is this just another over-zealous health study?

+16

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Sister Jean 2011/04/11 22:32:26

No

+9
their wonderful simplicity keeps one young
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More polls by SodaHead Living

Michael 2012/09/04 22:31:27

No

That's just dumb.

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This is W³ 2012/05/24 13:28:09

No

They are great for one's health if one is prepared and looking forward to parenthood.

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rh mlo 2011/06/14 22:06:28

Yes

two words: sibling rivalry

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Laura 2011/05/15 01:32:34

No

If you are an adult and able to support the child, they will benefit your health, eventually.
How else can you have grandchildren! LOL

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Dramarama 2011/05/10 07:05:24

No

Kids make you smile and laugh and are awesome

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AÇUCAR 2011/04/25 22:00:39

No

if they are my mother wouldn't have me

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Kimmie 2011/04/25 09:54:39

Yes

I know that being the mother of 2 teen daughters was just about the death of me.

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kelsie 2011/04/21 14:08:09 (edited)

No

Not some times kids tell you who u are and they help u bring out new emotions...

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Emanon 2011/04/20 21:49:46

Yes

*cough* I am allergic :P

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Zoe 2011/04/20 01:52:32

No

R u kidding me. I think a parent gets more excerise than me! And I'm on the track team. Lol.

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Linda Deaton 2011/04/19 22:36:01

No

No, not necessarily . Not all people should be parents . Give the kid a break

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ShazaMShaheen 2011/04/19 10:33:37

No

Are you kidding me???!!

If they are anything, then they are good for one health and soul for that matter .

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Ramon 2011/04/19 03:30:39

No

If you want to be healthy you will find a way. You may be tired but having a job can make you tired too. You just have to step up to the plate and stop making excuses.

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berni16 2011/04/18 16:03:53

Yes

My mental health would suffer greatly.

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XX 2011/04/18 14:48:44

Yes

They can run your insane.

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justin ... to XX 2011/04/21 03:07:03

UM I DISAGREE IM 11 AND I DONT DRIVE MY PARENTS CRAZY!

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Boss 2011/04/18 03:38:18

Yes

just being around other people,s kids is enough for me!! as for the top opinion...does sister jean speak from experience???

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sami 2011/04/17 08:53:34

No

Yes you would have more money and maybe travel more if you did not have children, but that is a boring existence in the long run so most don't opt for all that extra money and go for the kids instead ... It keeps you on your toes having children, knocks the cobwebs out of the brain ... That alone and the grandchildren later gives you this reason to live and assimilate ... Keep away from whinny stories like "Death of a Salesman" and look at the half full not the half empty glass always and you will be healthier for it ...

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Cora 2011/04/17 07:22:08

No

No! Having kids are a joy to have and they keep us young, and it did keep me busy.

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justin ... to Cora 2011/04/21 03:09:13

im 11 and being 11 is awesome. and we were all little kids once so why be so mean about bc WE WERE ALL LITTLE KIDS ONCE

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Cora to justin ... 2011/04/21 03:24:27

Did you read what I said. I said NO! Having kids are a joy and they keep us young, and it did keep me busy.

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justin ... to Cora 2011/05/18 02:02:26

i agree it keeps my parents busy they play wit us and its really fun so why do people have so mean about it kids r a joy!?

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harley oldman 2011/04/16 18:03:39

No

NOPE......A Joy to the SOUL..!

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Wisegirl227 2011/04/16 09:53:20

No

not really.

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Rita 2011/04/16 03:36:04

No

When my children were little, I got the best exercise of my life! Any person who feels it is easier or healthier to raise pets instead of children should get a dog or cat. If you want to make a "person"al difference in the future and have a bit of love to spare- then go for it...the Payback of being a great parent is just amazing! I trust no studies...What's to keep you thin up in Minnesota?

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nana 2011/04/16 03:07:48

Yes

.I don't know why people have children! I've had 8,7 living. I am now 79,will be 80 in September & I wonder why did I go through all that agony? Babies are quite wonderful when they are born healthy,but so many are not. They become a great burden,physically,emotionally & monetarily.My kids have a life of their own & don't know if I'm dead or alive unless I call them or send them a card on birthdays & holidays. They are all selfish & I didn't raise them to be that way. I gave them all love,attention,neccesary things,guidance & a good education. They are all successful in their lives & if they want for anything it is not my fault! I am barely surviving on a small Social Security check. Do they care? Of course they don't. They are too wrapped up in their own lives to care. I won't ask them for money. I'm sure they know my circumstances. If I had my life to live over I'd probably still have children, but I would find a way to keep them babies!!

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Rita to nana 2011/04/16 03:37:39

My, that anger! Did they feel it when they were young?

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justin ... to Rita 2011/05/18 02:04:59

i know wats up wit that anger

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justin ... to nana 2011/04/21 03:12:35

ITS NOT THE KIDS FAULT THERE THAT WAY IT WAS THE WAY THEY WERE BORN.......... LIKE AUTISM ITS NOT THERE FAULT AND IF THEY DONT HAVE A PROBLEM AND THEY'RE A NUISANCE ITS THE PARENTS FAULT FOR TEACHING THEM WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

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yacoub 2011/04/15 16:54:16

No

i have a mom and almost never screams at me

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justin ... to yacoub 2011/04/21 03:13:30

im 11 and my mom yells at me for no reason i do wat she says she yells but my dad never yells at me :)

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nefertari 2011/04/15 14:55:04

Yes

Raising a kid today can be a pain in the ass, not like in the past. they are very demanding, spoiled, and unappreciative.

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Balky to nefertari 2011/04/18 14:21:50

but why is like that? bcause u cant spank them?discpline them? because ofall this bullshiiting rules
raise ur childern in traditonal way and they will be great

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justin ... to Balky 2011/04/21 03:14:30

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS NOT THE KIDS FAULT

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akamine2525 2011/04/15 11:06:03

Yes

That's the reason I don't have kids!Just dog(s) for me is good enough!

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private parts 2011/04/14 21:11:30

Yes

...but only when they're teenagers...the rest of the time they're quite healthful.

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tom C 2011/04/14 18:05:38

No

+1
There are many moments of laughter, joy, love and pride that make kids the greatest gift to parents....

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Amy 2011/04/14 17:05:41

No

The sheer happiness a baby brings to your life far exceeds the sleep deprivation! Nothing is better than the first time your baby smiles at you, the sound of their laugh and the first time they say mama.

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moviebuff 2011/04/14 16:33:02

Yes

They are the worst best things that can happen to you. With that comes lots of stress, those people that said no are lying. As much as you love your kids and no matter how great they are, which they are, they can definitely raise your blood pressure.

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sami to moviebuff 2011/04/17 09:11:11

I am not lying ... Yes I wish that the oldest had not been born handicapped ... I wish the middle child's husband was not murdered by a drunk driver (Something that cost me $25,000 for a funeral ... His parents got something from the insurance company and so did my daughter, but somehow I got the bill) ... BUT my oldest brother was childless and he was dead by 54 ... My other brother was childless until he was almost 50 and he was drifting aimlessly along ... He found a ready made family and even though it can't be easy having teens in his mid 60s, he does seem to be the happiest he has ever been ... Yes I could have more in my portfolio and less stress but maybe I would have died of boredom like my oldest brother ...

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