How to Start Walking for Weight Loss(Use Walking to Lose Weight Faster)

Are you trying to lose weight? A healthy, calorie-controlled eating plan will help you slim down. But if you also start walking for weight loss, you are likely to see results faster. Not only will you see positive changes on the scale, but you will like the way your body looks and feels when you add physical activity to your day.

So how do you begin a walking program? If you are new to exercise or if you haven't worked out in a while, start slowly and focus on consistency. Schedule your walking workout just like you schedule all of your other important activities. Put a daily 10-15 minute walking session on your calendar and post your calendar in a place where you see it on a regular basis.

After one or two weeks, you will notice that your body getting stronger and more fit. Extend the length of your workouts and try to walk a little bit further during each session. Gradually extend the length of the workout to 20, 30 or 45 minutes.

As your fitness level increases, you will be able to take additional challenges. Use the workouts and tips listed below to boost your walking program.

• Get Walking Shoes 

Before you start walking to lose weight, you should get properly equipped with good shoes. Of course, you can walk in your regular sneakers, but a dedicated walking shoe will make your workout more comfortable, safer, and more effective.

Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, explains that it's important to have a separate shoe for walking workouts. "Your gait changes with casual walking versus walking for exercise, as does your cadence. " As a result, she says casual shoes and workout shoes break down differently. Wearing the wrong shoe can lead to injury and pain.

So what kind of shoe should you buy? Dr. Sutera says that it depends on the terrain. "When walking trails and hills, the better shoe option is a cross training or trail sneaker. For more flat terrain, a walking, jogging or running sneaker is appropriate. "

And of course, fit is essential. Dr. Sutera works as an expert in the Vionic Innovation Lab team. Vionic makes sport-specific walking shoes in a wide variety of widths and also provides orthotic inserts to support your feet during walking workouts and other activities.

Lastly, don't forget to replace your walking shoes on a regular basis. "The general rule of thumb is to replace your shoe every 8-10 months", says Dr. Sutera, "but you may need to do so sooner if you are particularly hard on your shoes or workout more often than most. The best indicator of this is sole wear. Flip your sneaker over and examine the sole. If they are uneven or worn out it is definitely time to replace them". She also says that you can do a "table-top test". Put your shoes on a table and look at them at eye level. If you see signs of uneven wear, it's time to replace them.

How Stretching Can Help You Lose Weight (Maintain a healthy active body with daily flexibility training)

Do you do flexibility training as part of your daily workout? Do you do any stretching exercises on a regular basis? If you are trying to lose weight, you should. Flexibility exercises are not big calorie burners, but they play an in important role in a weight loss program.

Benefits of Stretching

The best thing about flexibility training is that you don't have to do it very often to enjoy the benefits.
Just a few minutes of stretching each day will help to improve the range of motion in your joints, help to decrease the risk of injury during exercise and reduce stress.

So what flexibility exercises should you do? You can do simple stretches when you get out of bed each morning. This will help to loosen up your joints and start your day with healthy movement. There are also some great stretches that you can do at your desk while you are at work. You can also take a yoga class to lose weight or learn the practice of tai chi to improve your health.

3 Ways Flexibility Improves Weight Loss

Even though you won't burn mega calories during a short stretching session, your body functions better when your joints move more comfortably. This can boost your weight loss program in several different ways.

• Decreased stress.   Flexibility exercises help to get your blood pumping, but not in a way that increases your adrenaline. Stretching and breathing exercises help to improve your mood and lower your stress level. This may be especially helpful for dieters who are trying to curb emotional eating. If you can replace the trip to the refrigerator with 5 minutes of healthy stretching, you are likely to eat less and slim down faster.

• Improved NEAT. Organized workouts are important, but the calories you burn from NEAT play a big role in the total number of calories you burn each day. You are more likely to move more throughout the day if your joints and limbs feel good. Stretching helps to keep you active. 
• 
  
• More effective workouts. Aerobic activity and strength training for weight loss is more effective when you perform each exercise fully. Stretching helps keep your body in top shape so that you can burn more calories during your workouts and you spend less time recovering from injuries or soreness. 

    Flexibility training alone won't 

    burn enough calories to make a big 

    difference in your daily energy 

    balance. But when you pair 

    stretching exercises with a 

    complete workout program, you  

    will benefit from a healthier body 

    and improve your chances of

    weight loss. 

How to Create a Balanced Workout Routine(Learn how to include three types of exercise to lose weight)

What is the best type of exercise to lose weight? There isn't one kind of workout that works better than others. A balanced workout routine should include a combination of three types of exercise for weight loss.

Aerobic Exercise to Lose Weight 

Many exercises to lose weight are aerobic. Aerobic exercise can be called cardiovascular training, cardio or simply aerobics. Cardiovascular exercise includes any kind of movement that raises your heart rate and makes you breathe deeply for an extended period of time.

Running is cardiovascular activity, so is swimming ,riding a bike and brisk walking. Weight lifting makes your heart rate increase and makes you breathe deeply but not for long enough to qualify as cardio.

Aerobic activity is the core of most balanced workout routines when weight loss is the goal. Why? Because aerobics burns fat and calories. When you participate in cardio training, you put your metabolism into hyper drive and rev up your calorie-burning engine. And if you exercise hard enough, you burn fat and calories both during and after exercise.

Cardiovascular activity also improves the function of your heart and lungs. While this may not directly contribute to weight loss, it will help your body to perform better throughout the day which may help you to remain more active even when you are not exercising. For example, if your heart is healthy, you may be more likely to take the stairs instead of the elevator or walk to the grocery store instead of drive

These non-exercise physical activities help you to burn more calories all day long.

If you are ready to create a balanced workout routine with aerobic exercise, you can start with a simple walking program for weight loss. As you get more comfortable with your program, include walking intervals to lose weight faster or even distance running for greater fat loss.

Strength Exercise to Lose Weight 

Strength training is the kind of exercise that builds healthy muscle tissue. Strong muscles help you to move your body more efficiently. Some people refer to strength training as "lifting weights " but there are simple body weight exercises that qualify as strength training even though they don't involve lifting a dumbbell or a weight plate on a machine. You can even do simple strength training workouts at home.

Sometimes, people who are trying to lose weight will skip weight lifting because the purpose of this type of activity is to add weight to your frame. After all, why would you do weight building exercises to lose weight? But in the long run, adding muscle helps you to lose fat.

When you build muscle, you increase the amount of lean tissue on your body. A body with more lean muscle mass burns more calories even when it is at rest. For this reason, experts recommend that we include strength training exercises to lose weight more effectively. You don't have to be bulky and muscular, but a toned tight frame is more likely to have an efficient metabolism.

A body with more muscle also has a better shape than a body that has more fat.

Strength training also becomes particularly important as we age for many reasons, our metabolism slows as we get older. Many women find that after menopause, weight gain is almost inevitable and weight loss is impossible. But exercisers who continue to build and maintain muscle are less likely to suffer from a slow metabolism and excessive weight gain.

If you are ready to do strength exercises to lose weight, start by doing a simple weight training program at home. Or target your arms, legs and and with an easy strength training routine that takes just 15-20 minutes three times per week.

Flexibility Exercise to Lose Weight

Flexibility training is stretching. An effective stretching program takes only a small amount of time and can be done in just about any space. Even so, flexibility training is often the most neglected part of a workout. This is particularly unfortunate because people who stretch enjoy specific benefits that may help them lose weight.

Stretching helps us to maintain good range of motion in our joints and helps our muscles to remain loose and healthy. All of this helps us to move more effectively during the day and experience less pain from tight muscles or from muscle imbalances. A healthy body is likely to move more and burn more calories.

But the greatest benefit enjoyed by dieters who stretch is that it relieves stress. People who struggle with weight loss often cite emotional eating as a key reason that they cheat in their diets. If dieters can find a healthier way to relieve stress then they may be able to use it as a preventative solution to eliminate binge eating or cheating when their emotions get the best if them.

And lastly, if you include quiet meditation in your stretching program, it may help you to sleep better at night. Why does that matter? Studies have shown that people who are well rested are more likely to make better food choices than people who are tired.

Ready to include stretching in your balanced workout routine? Start with a simple plan that you can do in your bedroom, at the gym or outside at any time during the day.

Combine 3 Types of Exercise Into a Balanced Workout Routine 

Now that you know why each kind of training matters, be sure that you include each type of training into your complete weekly plan. It doesn't require a huge time investment. If you currently participate in some aerobic activities on most days of the week, add 15-30 minutes of strength training on two of those days and just 10 minutes of stretching at the end of each session. This small time investment may help you to enjoy big rewards when it is time to step on the scale.

Flexibility is the ability to be adaptable, easily bent and stretched.

Watch an Ultrabest dancer as she show us how to do développé

The Most Important First Step to Losing Weight

When weight loss is your goal, do you know the most important first step to losing weight? If you are shopping for one of the many weight loss plans on the market, feel a little uneasy. There are so many diets to choose and so many steps to take. The process can be overwhelming. Before you begin your weight loss journey, there are a few important things to do and the first one is critical.

The First Step to Weight Loss

The first thing you should do if you want to lose weight is to make an appointment with your health care professional.

If you are overweight or obese, your doctor may hold the keys to effective weight loss and motivation.

Your doctor can tell you how weight loss can affect your health status and your risk for disease. Your doctor may also be able to tell you how much weight you need to lose to see improvement in your medical profile. And your doctor may be able refer you to a registered dietitian or a physical therapist to help guide your weight loss journey.

Your doctor may also be able to help you choose a diet. Most likely, your doctor will say the best way for you to lose weight is to cut calories from your daily diet and to start a program of physical exercise.

In some cases, your doctor may discuss prescription weight loss medications or weight loss surgery. But these treatments are usually reserved for patients who are obese and who have tried traditional weight loss methods without success.

Weight Loss Step 2: Put It in Writing

So how do you change your daily diet to lose weight? Experts recommend that the best way to begin is to keep a food diary. A food journal is a smart way to check your health habits (both good and bad) and find the trouble spots where changes need to be made.

After you begin your diet Journal, the next step to losing weight is to set a goal. This important step is overlooked or ignored by most dieters and that is a big mistake.

If you set a goal correctly, it will guide the weight loss process like a road map, providing direction and motivation as challenges come up along the way.

Weight Loss Step 3: Find the Best Diet

The best diet for you is not necessarily the diet that helped your friend lose weight or the weight loss program that your neighbour followed when she slimmed down. Each dieter is unique. You have a different lifestyle, a different medical profile, different food preferences and a different budget than your friends and family. So take the time to investigate several different diets before you choose one.

Need a little help? Use these resources to begin your search:

• How to Find the Best Diet for You: 5 Critical Questions to Ask
• How to Find the Best Diet Meal Program
• Diet Meal Programs: Reviews for You to Compare
• Popular Diets That Might Be Bad for You

Weight Loss Step 4: Rally the Troops

You might be able to manage the entire weight loss process by yourself, but most people cannot. So it's important to get weight loss help.

Some diet programs and commercial weight loss plans provide counselors and support groups. But there is also help available for the do-it-yourself dieter if you design your own program. Set up your support system before you need it, so it's already in place when typical weight loss challenges arise. 

Don't be afraid to get creative when you ask for help. You can ask friends and family for help losing weight. Or you can even gather a group of co-workers and set up a plan to lose weight at work. Some people even successfully find weight loss support at their church or synagogue. 

Weight Loss Step 5: Prepare a Back Up Plan. 

Weight loss often comes down to trial and error. Many dieters have good weeks when they slim down and a few bad weeks when they gain. This is normal. The important thing is to not give up. 

So how do you stick to your plan when the going gets rough? Prepare for the challenges now. Learn how to boost your motivation when you want to quit, find out how to 

troubleshoot your diet when it's not working and figure out how to manage a weight loss plateau when it happens. 

If you follow these steps to losing weight, you will put yourself on the fast track to weight loss and to lasting health and wellness. 

Young Ultrabest Dancers doing their stretches.

11 Weight Loss Questions to Ask Your Doctor(The critical information you need to get when you see a doctor for weight loss)

If you are ready to see a doctor for weight loss, you need to go to your appointment prepared. There are several critical weight loss questions you need to ask. You may want to talk to your doctor about weight loss medication, about the risks of different weight loss program and about the benefits of losing weight. Your physician will be able to give you answers that take your personal health history into account.

The Best Doctor for Weight Loss

Before you make an appointment, you might wonder about what kind of doctor to see about losing weight. There are probably dozens of weight loss doctors in your area and many of them may be connected to a diet program or service. Eventually, these doctors may be able to help.

But when you are starting a weight loss program, you should see your primary care doctor first. Why? Because even though your Doctor may not be an expert in weight loss, your primary care doctor is an expert in your medical history. Your regular doctor can address general questions about weight loss and give personalized answers based on your own health history and medical conditions.

If your doctor is not able to answer specific questions about popular diet programs, exercise routines or about weight loss medications, he or she can refer you to the best expert in your area.

Weight Loss Questions to Ask Your Doctor

When you first see a doctor for weight loss, begin the conversation by explaining that you want to lose weight.

Your physician may take it from there and offer suggestions for diet programs or exercise plans to follow. But if not, ask these questions to get the information you need.

1. Should I lose weight? 
    Your physician may give you a quick answer or he may take some time to calculate your BMI. Some physicians may also be able to measure your body composition as well.

2. Am I healthy enough to diet? 
    If you have been undergoing health changes,your physician may ask you to wait until your condition has stabilized to start a diet or exercise program.

3. How much weight  should I lose?
    The answer to this question may depend on how much weight you want to lose, but it is possible that your physician will have a recommendation as well. With input from your doctor, you may be able to set a more reasonable goal.

4. Does my weight  affect my health? 
    There are some conditions like diabetes or hypertension that may improve if you lose weight. Ask your doctor if a diet or exercise program can improve your medical condition.

5. How will my health improve if I lose weight?
     Knowing the answer to this question may provide motivation for you when you hit a weight loss plateau or when you lack the energy to continue with your program. An improvement in your medical condition may mean that you can take less medication or see your doctor less often.

6. Can I take weight loss           
     medication? 
     You can talk to your doctor about weight loss medication if you are significantly overweight and if you have tried other weight-loss methods without success. Before you talk to your doctor about diet pills you should be prepared to explain the different diet programs you have tried. Many diet medications have side effects. Your doctor will probably want you to try safer, more common methods of weight loss before you go on medication.

7. How much weight do I need to 
    lose to see a benefit? 
    In some cases, just a small amount
    of weight loss can have a
    significant impact on your health.

8. Do I have a medical condition 
    that should affect the diet plan I 
    Chose?
     There are specific diet plans that
     are recommended for people who
     have conditions like diabetes or
     hypertension. Find out if there is a
     plan that is recommended for you.

9. Are there any foods I should 
    avoid? 
    Some medications can become less
    effective if you eat certain foods.
    Grapefruit for example, is not 
    recommended for people who are
    on cholesterol-loweirng
    medications. Write down any
    foods you should avoid and post
    the list in a place where you see it
    everyday.

10. Am I healthy enough for 
      vigorous physical activity? 
      Make sure you are healthy
      enough for both strength and 
      cardiovascular workouts. If your
      doctor provides limitations, you
      may want to write them down so
      that you remember them after
      you leave the office.

11. How should I monitor my 
      exercise intensity? 
      Most exercise programs require
      that you work at different levels 
      of intensity. But not all methods 
      of monitoring exercise intensity
      work for all exercisers. Heart rate
      monitors, for example, won't
      work for people who are on
      medications that keep their heart
      rate low. Ask your doctor to be
      sure.

This initial conversation with your doctor should provide you with all of the information you need to begin your weight loss program. As you continue on your program,be sure to contact your physician if you notice unusual symptoms or changes to your health that cause alarm.

If you have problems losing weight, don't hesitate to revisit your doctor to see if there might be a medical or physical reason for your struggle. If you have tried lose weight for six months or more and your weight has caused health  problems, you may want to discuss the possibility of weight loss surgery.

Sources:

Bleach SN, Bennett WL, Gudzune KA, Cooper LA.. "Impact of physician BMI on obesity care and beliefs. " Journal of Obesity May 2012.

Lisa Hark, Ph.D., R.D., Darwin Deen, Jr., M.D., M.S "Taking a Nutrition History: A Practical Approach for Family Physicians. " American Family Physician March 1999.

U.S Department of Health and Human services. Losing Weight. Questions for the Doctor. Healthfinder.gov

http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/conditions-and-diseases/obesity/losing-weight-questions-for-the-doctor Accessed: November 13,2015.

Maria L. Loureiro, Rodolfo M. Nayga Jr. "Obesity, weight loss, and physician's advice." Social Science and Medicine May 2006.

Kathryn I. Pollak, Stewart C. Alexander, PhD., Cynthia J. Coffman, PhD.,  James A. Tulsky,  MD, Pauline Lyna, MPH, Rowena J. Dolor, MD, MHS., Iguehi E. James, MPH., Rebecca J. Namenek Brouwer, MS., Justin R.E. Manusov, BA., Truls Ostbye, MD, PhD. "Physician Communication Techniques and Weight Loss in Adults: Project CHAT. " American Journal of Preventative  Medicine October 2010.

John G Scott, M.D., Ph.D., Deborah Cohen, Ph.D., Barbara DiCicco-Bloom, R.N., Ph.D., M.H.P., A.John Orzano, Ph.D., M.P.H., Patrice Gregory, Ph.D., M.P.H., Susan A Flocke, Ph.D., Lisa Maxwell, B.S., Benjamin Crabtree, Ph.D. "Speaking of Weight: how patients and primary care clinicians initiate weight loss counseling." Preventive Medicine June 2004.

Susan A. Flocke, Ph.D; Aaron Clark; Katie Schlessman; Ginger Pomiecko. "Exercise,Diet, and Weight Loss Advice in the Family Medicine Outpatient Setting. " Family Medicine June 2005.

7 Smart Weight Loss Tips for Women Over 40

Losing weight is hard for everyone. But weight loss tips for women over 40 need to take into account the unique hormonal changes, lifestyle adjustments, and exercise considerations that we deal with when we hit that special age.

If you are over 40, weight loss is still possible. But you need to plan ahead, exercise smarter and eat a good diet full of key nutrients that will keep  your body young and strong. Use these diet tips, meal plans and fitness routines to get and keep the body you deserve.

1. See Your Doctor

When you are over 40, weight loss may play a big role in your overall well-being and your ability to age well. When you go in for your annual check - up or before you start a diet, talk to your health care provider. Find out if weight loss might improve your health. You may be able to decrease your risk for disease or even stop taking certain medications if you lose weight. And having that important information may help you to stay motivated when weight loss becomes challenging.

2. Prevent Menopausal Weight Gain

Are menopausal changes affecting your weight? Many women struggle with weight loss before,during ,and sometimes even long after menopause. Weight gain at this time may be related to changes in your hormones. But this is also a time when many women make changes to their daily routines that may affect their weight. For example, after the kids leave home some women are not as busy during the day with non-exercise physical activities like carrying groceries, lifting laundry baskets and other household chores. Evaluate your lifestyle to make sure that a change in your daily habits isn't affecting your weight. 

3. Reboot Your Confidence

Who says sex appeal fades as you age? Many women say that their 40s are the sexiest decade. Often, women experience renewed confidence, professional success and a more sultry sense of self during this decade. So why not use it to your advantage? If you are trying to reshape your body or lose weight in your 40s, a renewed sense of confidence and sex appeal will help you reach your goals. You might think that you will feel better about your body after the diet, but the truth is that is if you feel better about yourself before your diet, you will be better equipped to manage the lifestyle changes necessary for weight loss. 

4. Set Goals for Over-40 Weight Loss

Your 40s are not the time to try fad diets for quick weight loss. You are smarter than that. You need a plan for long-term health, well-being, weight loss and weight maintenance. To do that, set SMART goals. SMART goals are used by motivational coaches to help anyone become more successful. If you want your weight loss plan to work, you will set one too. It takes just 30 minutes or less to set up and it provides a roadmap for your entire weight loss journey.

5. Increase Your Energy

Your sleep habits, your eating habits, and your work habits may lead to poor sleep. It's very hard to slim down when you are not resting properly. To lose weight over 40, you should increase your energy using natural, healthy methods. First, make small changes to improve your sleep at night. Then during the day, steer clear of high-calorie coffee drinks and other beverages that cause weight gain and use diet-friendly methods to boost your energy instead.

6. Build a Balanced Workout Program

In your 20s and 30s, you may have been able to lose weight with a walking program or simply by staying more active during the day. But in your 40s, losing weight takes smarter planning. You need three types of exercise to slim down, tone up and stay healthy. Make sure you incorporate cardiovascular exercise, strength training and stretching into your weekly program. Each type of exercise provides unique weight loss benefits.

7. Change Your Diet

There is no single diet plan that works for everyone. But a diet plan for your 40s should be one that can use to reach your weight loss goals and then modify and stick to for life. Evaluate your current eating style, think about your past diet history and choose a diet that fits your needs. Evaluate commercial diet plans or create your own eating plan at home. 

Challenges facing the children of Alcoholics(At Risk for a Range of Emotional and Behavioral Problems)

It is estimated that one in four children are exposed to alcoholism or drug addiction in their family. Millions of children under the age of 18 live in a home with at least one alcoholic parent.

Research tells us that these children are a great risk for a range of cognitive, emotional and behaviour problems in their lifetimes. On top of that, because they are children of alcoholics, they have genetic and higher environmental risks of becoming alcoholics themselves.

Although many of these children develop serious problems, many of them live through the experience of growing up in a alcoholic home without developing any psychopathology or substance abuse problems.

Serious Coping Problems

One study found that while many children of alcoholics developed serious coping problems by the age of 18,the majority (59%) did not develop such problems.

The researchers found that the children resilient enough to function well in spite of the experience shared these characteristics:

• The ability to obtain positive attention from others
• Adequate communication skills
• Average intelligence 
• A caring attitude
• A desire to achieve 
• A belief in self-help

Lower IQ,  Verbal Scores

Many studies comparing children of alcoholics to children of nonalcoholics have focused on cognitive functions. One study found that full IQ performance, and verbal scores were lower among children raised by alcoholic fathers, compared to those raised by nonalcoholic fathers.

Another study found lower Full IQ and verbal scores, but not on tests for performance (a measure of abstract and conceptual reasoning). 

Performance Within Normal Ranges

A study of children of alcoholics whose families were educated and whose parents lived in the home found that lower scores for IQ, arithmetic, reading, and verbal scores for children from alcoholic families.

However, in spite of the lower scores, the children of alcoholic homes performed within normal ranges for intelligence tests in all of the above studies.

Underestimating Their Abilities

Another study of children of alcoholics from families that were not disadvantaged found no differences in their scores compared to children from nonalcoholic families. However, they found that the children of alcoholics underestimated their own competence. 

Additionally, they found that the mothers of the children of alcoholics underrated their children's abilities. These perceptions could affect the children's motivation, self -esteem and future performance, the researchers said. 

Academic performance, rather than IQ scores, may bra better measure of the effects of living with an alcoholic parent. Many children of alcoholics have academic problems. 

Many Have Academic Problems 

Those problems include:

• Repeating grades
• Failing to graduate from high school
• Referrals to school psychologists

Motivational difficulties and the stress of the home environment may contribute to the academic problems, although cognitive deficits may be partially to blame, researchers believe. 

Higher Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety

Parental alcoholism is linked to a number of psychological disorders in their children. Studies have found that the emotional functioning of children of alcoholics Can be negatively affected by divorce, parental anxiety or affective disorders, or undesirable changes in the family or in life situations. 

Many studies have found that children from alcoholic homes have higher levels of depression and anxiety and exhibit more symptoms of generalized stress than the children from nonalcoholic families. 

More Extreme Depression

Children of alcoholics show more depression symptoms that children of nonalcoholic homes and their self-reported depression is more frequently on the extreme side of the scale, researchers found. 

Children from alcoholic homes are often diagnosed with conduct disorders. Their teachers often rate them as significantly more overactive and impulsive than children of nonalcoholic homes.

Behavioural Problems

Behavioural problems of children of alcoholics often include:

• Lying
• Stealing
• Fighting 
• Truancy
• School behaviour problems 

Greater Delinquency, Truancy

Children of alcoholics are at greater risk for delinquency and school truancy. Parental alcohol abuse is linked to diagnosed conduct disorders in children of alcoholics. 

Researchers have found that families of alcoholics have lower levels of:

• Family cohesion 
• Expressiveness 
• Independence 
• Intellectual orientation

Alcoholic families have higher levels of conflict, impaired problem-solving ability, and hostile communication, but those problems are found in families with problems other than alcohol also. However, in an alcoholic home, the parent's continued drinking contributes to the disruption of family life. 

Effects of Family Dysfunction

Some of the issues facing children of alcoholics may not be primarily related to the alcoholism in the family itself, but to the social and psychological dysfunction that an alcoholic home can produce. 

For example, one study found that children with alcoholic parents are less likely to become alcoholics themselves if their parents consistently set and follow through on plans and maintain such family rituals as holidays and regular mealtimes. 

Parent Getting Into Recovery Helps

Additionally, one study found that when the drinking parent stop drinking and gets into recovery, it lessens the emotional stress on the children. Researchers found that the emotional functioning in children of recovering alcoholics was similar to those of children of nonalcoholics.

However, the same study found that children of alcoholics report higher levels of anxiety and depression when their alcoholic parent relapses.

Children of Other Dysfunctional Homes 

One difficulty facing researchers looking into the effects on children of growing up in alcoholics homes is trying to determine the extent of those problems and if they are directly related to the alcoholism or to other dysfunctional behaviors.

Many times the investigators may overestimate the extent of the problems because the participants in their studies are taken from children who are in trouble or in treatment. Only the most troubled youth enter treatment and the justice system, so those clinical "samples" may be extreme. 

Dysfunctional on Many Levels

It is also difficult to determine if the problems described in children of alcoholics are specific for parental alcoholism,or do they occur as often in other dysfunctional families. If so, then the problems may not be alcohol specific. 

Regardless, the fact remains that homes with an alcoholic parent can become very dysfunctional on many levels and those situations place the children at risk  for a wide variety of negative consequences.

Sources:

Dayton, T. "Portrait of an Alcoholic Family: Forgotten Children; Right Next Door?" National Association for Children of Alcoholics Accessed January 2016

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. "Children of Alcoholics: Are They Different?" Alcohol Alert July 1990