By Jeff Hamlin
Assistant News Director

A new study raises questions about how much outside stress can influence childhood obesity. It may be more of a problem that sugary drinks.

Doctor Adam Goldstein of WCHL’s Here’s to your Health says the article was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

1,000 adolescents ages 10-to-15 and their mothers who were from low-income families from Boston, Chicago and San Antonio were questioned in the study. The results show 47% of teens were overweight or obese, but that percentage increased to 56% among those who were impacted by four or more stressors.  

Among the stressors were having poor grades, mental health issues, aggressive behavior or drugs and alcohol.

Doctor Christy Page says these findings are a breakthrough in measuring something that’s become a nationwide problem.

Goldstein says these findings may shift the conversion on reducing childhood obesity away from food and more on the family and self-esteem at a young age.