For children to eat more healthily

MADRID, May 9. (EUROPA PRESS) –

According to a study by scientists at the University of Washington and the University of Florida, USA, communicating the benefits of eating to children can help them eat healthier.

In their study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, researchers found that claims such as "eat your lenses if you want to grow faster and run faster" were more effective in getting kids to eat healthy foods. than to present them to them. repeatedly without conversation.

In fact, children ate twice as much healthy food when they were told that it would be beneficial to them in understandable terms, rather than when they were getting food without this information.

"Every child wants to be bigger, faster, faster." Using this type of sentence has made the food more appealing, "said Associate Professor at the Human Development Department of the University of Washington and the senior author of the study, Jane Lanigan.

In addition, previous research had shown that providing food to children repeatedly increased the likelihood that they would try something new. However, these surveys did not take into account the context of these offers, says the teacher.

In the study, Laningan and his colleagues wanted to know whether child-centered nutrition statements (affirmation of child-centered nutrition), positive affirmations that only convey the benefits of healthy eating, young children to choose more healthy These expressions focus on children's goals and are based on specific nutritional information.

The research team conducted an experiment to provide healthy foods to a group of children aged three to five for six weeks.

Before starting, the 87 children in the experiment rated how much they liked four foods chosen from different food groups, including green peppers (vegetables), tomatoes (vegetables), quinoa (cereals) ) and lentils (legumes).

"Lenses will help you grow and run faster"

Then, children were offered two foods they liked the least twice a week. During the experiment, which lasted six weeks, researchers presented children with one of their inferior foods with preselected, age – appropriate data relating to the benefits of eating. food. In addition, other foods were donated simply to taste. "For example, when we introduced lenses, we said, it will help you grow and run faster," said Lanigan.

The researchers measured the amount of children's food three times: before the test, after the test and one month after the end of the study. The immediate post-test showed no results, probably because the children "were fed up with eating the same food," said the researcher.

However, in the month following the measurement, children ate twice as much of their CCNP meal with repeated exposure compared to a food without positive words.

Thus, the study concluded that the use of CCNP can increase the amount of healthy food consumed by children. "I have two children and I probably could have done things differently by trying to eat healthier," said the researcher.