San Diego State University researchers say kids have a higher chance of becoming fat if they regularly eat at a relative's or neighbor's house. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Researchers took interest in the eating patterns of Latino kids. That's because Latino parents rely more heavily on grandparents, other relatives and neighbors for daycare.
They found kids who ate outside their homes once a week or more drank more sugary-beverages like sodas and juices, and ate unhealthy snacks like chips and fast food.
Researcher Guadalupe Ayala says Latino families also tend to eat poorly at restaurants.
Ayala: They start to consume a lot of the unhealthy foods, in part, because they see this as a marker of success. So being able to take my kid to take to a fast food restaurant or take you out to eat, is a marker that you actually succeeded in the U.S.
Ayala encourages all parents to reinforce at-home food rules with their caregivers.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
