A European study shows children’s food choices are dependent on parenting patterns
By Aashi Chhatiawala
We often hear about dietary trends in the media. We also hear how important physical activity is for our health. A person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes [1] is linked to their age, genetics, and family history. It is also linked to factors such as food [2]and physical activity.
The Feel4Diabetes study was led by the Hellenic Mediterranean University Research Centre [3] in Greece. It was conducted with families at a high risk for type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted in six European countries: Finland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Spain and Greece.
The aim of the study was to understand how children’s food choices are shaped by parenting practices [4]. This includes the type of food that parents offer to children (lollies (sweets) versus fruit), using food as a reward, and being physically active with their child. This study also looked at what foods are available at home.
The study found that:
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- When parents eat healthier foods with their children, and engage in physical activity together, children tend to choose foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and fish.
- When parents provide fruits and vegetables at home, instead of sugary drinks, sweets and salty snacks, children tend to choose healthier foods.
- When parents allow their children to eat unhealthy snacks more frequently, children tend to choose snacks high in sugar (e.g. snacks, drinks) and less fruit, vegetables and healthy grains.
- When parents allow their children too much screen time or use screen time or unhealthy snacks/drinks as rewards, children tend to choose snacks high in sugar. They are less likely to choose fruit, vegetables, healthy grains and fish.
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Overall, the study highlights the importance of parenting practices that promote healthy eating, physical activity and making healthy foods available at home. This is particularly important for families at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Further studies are needed to examine differences between families where parents have type 2 diabetes [1] and where parents do not have any risk factor for type 2 diabetes [1]. This will improve our understanding of the role of parenting practices on children’s food choices.
If you found this interesting, check out our other blogs about type 2 diabetes [1], families [4] and behaviour change [5].
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Reference:
Zannidi, D., Karatzi, K., Karaglani, E., Liatis, S., Cardon, G., Iotova, V., Tsochev, K., Chakarova, N., Moreno, L. A., Flores-Barrantes, P., Radó, S., Rurik, I., Lindström, J., Makrilakis, K., Manios, Y., & Feel4Diabetes Study Group. Children’s food choices are highly dependent on patterns of parenting practices and food availability at home in families at high risk for type 2 diabetes in Europe: Cross-sectional results from the Feel4Diabetes study. [6]Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics: The Official Journal of the British Dietetic Association, 2023; 36(1): 62–74. https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.13052 [7]