Children Punished Physically Have Higher Chances of Developing Obesity and Heart Problems Later

Children who are punished physically have increased chances of developing obesity and other health problems in adulthood, a latest study states.

The researchers examined data collected in 2004 and 2005 by the United States Census interviewers, who questioned nearly 34, 000 grown-ups across the  country. These participants were asked whether their parents slapped, shoved, pushed, grabbed or hit them as a part of childhood punishment. Around 1,300 adults admitted they were physically abused as children. The report also found that these participants were diagnosed with at least one chronic health condition compared to those who were not physically punished during childhood.

"This is one study that adds to a growing area of research that all has consistent findings that physical punishment is associated with negative mental and now physical (health) outcomes," said Tracie Afifi, lead study author at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada.

The participants, who were physically punished in childhood, had 25 percent more chances of arthritis and 28 percent higher chances of heart diseases. The study also found that 31 percent of people punished physically were obese. However, Afifi maintained that not everyone who was slapped or shoved during  childhood showed signs of mental or physical health problems.

She said that hitting children to make them realize their mistake is not the safest method of discipline. . "Your child might be fine afterward, but maybe not. If we want what's best for our children, we need to choose discipline that does not come with these risks," Afifi told Reuters Health.

 "The recommendation against physical punishment does not imply the avoidance of discipline," she said. "We're not saying, 'Just let your kid run wild.'"