Authoritarian parenting styles can lead to overweight children, a new study shows.

Disciplinarian mothers are 5 times more likely to raise chubby 1st graders than moms who are firm but not controlling.

Likewise, children with negligent or overly-permissive mothers were 2 times as likely to be overweight. These eating habits established early in life can lead to health problems such as heart disease later in life.

One reason may be that strict parents create a stressful environment, causing a child to turn to food for comfort and escape.

The same goes for children of neglectful or permissive parents, who may feel as though no one really cares about them.

Parents who show affection and respect within a non-constricting framework of rules better teach their children to make healthy diet and exercise choices. This flexible rule-setting style, also called authoritative, also leads to higher accomplishment in school and less depression in children.