A new study says that girls raised in single-parent households are more likely to be obese, reports Yahoo. Researchers in Australia conducted a study looking at the various causes of obesity among children.

Read: Cardio Vs. Weight Lifting: Which You Should Do First For Optimal Performance, And Why

The team of scientists looked at data from two Queensland Health surveys given in 2009 and 2011. The surveys were answered by parents who responded to questions about their socio-economic standing, as well as their kids’ height, weight, and habits. Information for more than 3,500 children was compiled.

According to their data, nine percent of those sampled between 5 and 17 were obese, compared to seven percent nationally. It appears that younger kids in particular had more of a weight problem as 12 percent of boys and 11 percent of girls ages five to 11 were obese. Older kids, ages 12 to 17, had a rate of seven percent obesity in boys and four percent in girls.

Researchers discovered several factors associated with obesity, including living in a disadvantaged area, being the child of a single, unemployed, or less-educated parents, eating fast food twice a week, not participating in sports, and watching two hours of TV a day.

“Girls aged 12 to 17 whose parents were not university educated were significantly more likely to be obese than those whose parents were, says study co-author and professor Peter O’Rourke in a statement. “These girls were also three times more likely to be obese if they were from a single-parent household, and more than twice as likely to be obese if they did not regularly participate in organised sport."

In comparison, boys in the same age group were more likely to be obese if they ate takeout and had less-educated parents. The researchers do not have a theory on the discrepancy.

Read: 5 Most Diet-Friendly Foods You Should Eat, From Chia Seeds To Soup

In the United States, childhood obesity rates have tripled since the 1970s, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Studies have shown that childhood obesity can impact school performance and many are now offering healthy cafeteria options and obesity prevention programs.

See Also:

The New Normal For Body Size: Why Fewer Americans Are Trying To Lose Weight

How Reality TV Star Mama June Went From 460 Pounds To A Size 4; Her Diet Swaps, Surgery And More