They may also be children who have poor oral motor skills, may drool excessively, may have
poor eating skills (under weight or over weight) and poor oral hygiene habits.
But boredom has a darker side: Easily bored people are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, drug addiction, alcoholism, compulsive gambling,
eating disorders, hostility, anger,
poor social
skills, bad grades and low work performance.
The quality of relationships parents make with their children predicts healthy
eating, 3 and the only programmes which have an (albeit modest) impact in reversing childhood obesity are programmes which offer development of parenting
skills as well as lifestyle advice.4 5 Adverse parenting is also a risk factor for the adoption of smoking, 6 alcohol and drug misuse, 6 teenage pregnancy, 6 and
poor mental health in children, 7 adolescents8 9 and adults.10 11 It is possible to show that adverse parenting and
poor quality parent — child relationships are risk factors for
poor health in general6 12 — 14 and symptoms of
poor physical health6 12 13 in childhood and adulthood, as well as cardiovascular disease, 6 13 cancer, 6 13 musculoskeletal problems, 6 13 injury15 and mortality6 in later life.