Maternal depression experienced by a mother can affect her children too, says a new Canadian study. According to the research as published in the journal Pediatrics, children in middle or elementary school who have a depressed mother are more likely to engage in risky health behaviors like drinking and smoking as teenagers. Depression is a serious medical disorder characterized by a pervasive and persistent low mood that is accompanied by low self-esteem and by a loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. Untreated depression can result in emotional, behavioral, and health problems such as extreme weight gain or weight loss, alcohol and substance abuse, relationship conflicts, social isolation, suicide or attempted suicide, and premature death from other medical conditions. The present study explores the effect of childhood exposure to maternal depression on adolescent engagement in risky health behaviors.

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