Some of the strategies parents use to get their kids to eat healthy may not be working, new research suggests
YGEIAMOU.GR TEAM
25/04/2024 09:00:58
Some of the strategies that parents of preschool and elementary school children follow in their efforts to provide children with a balanced, nutritious diet are falling short, according to a University of Michigan CSMott Children’s Hospital poll of 1,083 parents of 3-10-year-olds in the US.
Three out of five parents change meals if their child doesn’t like what everyone else is eating and this often leads to a less healthy alternative. Also, one in eight parents pressure children to eat all the food on their plate. However, experts warn that parents who try to force children to eat can lead to overconsumption of food.
More than half of respondents said children should try a little bit of everything, and less than a third said “no to dessert if the meal isn’t over”.
At the same time, only a third of parents believe the typical American diet is healthy, compared to half who seem to recognize its higher nutritional value Mediterranean diet. However, only 9% have tried the Mediterranean diet in children.
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The biggest challenges parents face in trying to make sure their child gets a healthy diet are that the child is a picky eater, as well as the higher cost of healthy foods and food waste. 27% answer that their child does not like healthy food and 12% say they don’t have time to prepare healthy food.
Almost all parents surveyed reported trying at least one strategy to get their child to eat vegetables, such as serving vegetables every day, making vegetables the way the child likes them, trying vegetables the child has never eaten before, and letting children pick out vegetables at the grocery store. Others involve children in preparing the vegetables, hide the vegetables in other foods, or offer a reward for eating vegetables.
The hospital’s pediatrician, Susan Woolford, points out that “preschool and first school age is an important period for establishing healthy eating patterns. However, parents’ worry about whether their child is eating enough or getting the nutrients they need can lead them to adopt practices that actually sabotage their efforts to get children into healthy eating habits in the short and long term.”
Among other things, he suggests “instead of parents allowing the child to choose an alternative menu, provide a balanced meal with at least a choice that their child is usually willing to eat”. Even if the child chooses not to eat, “parents should not worry as this will not harm healthy children and they will be more likely to eat the options presented at the next meal.” Avoiding snacks between meals can also help children have more appetite and increase their willingness to eat the foods offered.
“Parents should try to include children in mealtime decisions, avoid forcing food consumption, and provide a variety of healthy options at each meal so children feel more in control.” he adds.
