Australian study overtakes nibbling to reduce childhood obesity

According to the study of the Murdoch Institute of Australia's Children's Research, snacking has become a major factor of childhood obesity. [Tuchong]

A study published Friday by the Australian Institute of Child Research Murdoch, Australia, attempted to solve snacking problems by looking for what factors contribute to overeating.

It is not surprising that snacks have become an important factor in childhood obesity. If the opportunity arose, most children would gladly throw a handful of chips and chocolate in their mouths between meals, whether from hunger or boredom or both.

Lead researcher Dr. Jessica Kerr told Xinhua that, contrary to the common advice, the size of the container or dish in which the snacks are served had little influence, while the amount of food presented had a major role.

The study involved approximately 1,800 children aged 11 to 12 years participating in a larger study, providing them with a 15-minute break in 20 other health badessments.

"What we found in this study was that the amount of food served affected children a lot, so when we gave them more products and more choices, they consumed a lot more," he said. Kerr.

"But surprisingly, the size of the plates and the presentation of the food have not had much effect and I find it surprising because it is generally recommended to use smaller plates for portion control." not find that the way the food was presented had a great effect. "

In Australia, the rate of childhood obesity is three times higher than it was thirty years ago. One in five children is now considered overweight or obese.

Kerr thinks that scientific studies have not taken into account nibbling.

She added that parents should pay more attention to reducing the amount of food available to children and, in particular, reducing the diversity of energy-rich foods and prepackaged foods.

"Unfortunately, manufacturers are producing delicious, delicious foods, such as sodium-rich rice crackers or candy bars or muesli bars," said Kerr.

"But you can do fun things for kids with fruits and vegetables as well as ordinary rice crackers, plain popcorn and things like that, there's nothing wrong with that."

(Source: Xinhua)