Evidence suggests that children's eating habits mirror those of their parents, writes Sylvia Thompson
THE MAJORITY of mothers of overweight or obese children think that their children's weight is fine for their age.
That's just one stark finding from new research which draws attention to the role parents play in their children's eating habits.
Other findings in the study, released last week, were that one in five families eat their meals in front of the TV more than four times a week and three in five parents said they find it a struggle to get their children to eat healthy food.
The research findings in themselves aren't that surprising but what is new about this most recent healthy living campaign (Little Steps Go A Long Way, www.littlesteps.eu) is the emphasis placed on parents as a big part of the problem and, therefore, the key to finding a solution.
"There is evidence to suggest that children's eating habits mirror those of their parents and children and young people of normal weight parents are more likely to have a normal weight," says Dr Cliodhna Foley Nolan, director of Human Health and Nutrition from Safefood, the food safety promotion board.
Aside from the group of parents who are firmly in denial about their children's weight problems, there is another group of parents who realise their children are overweight but find the challenge too great to tackle. How will this campaign help them?
Foley Nolan believes the tips included in the campaign (divided into tips on food shopping, snacking, activity levels, meal times and reducing screen time) will help parents who find it hard to get to grips with their children's weight problems.
"It takes discipline to change ingrained habits such as not making time for breakfast or having dinner in front of the TV or buying cleverly marketed food aimed at children but the summer holidays offer an opportunity to change," she says.
The second phase of the campaign will be launched just before the children go back to school.
Researchers and dietitians alike now widely acknowledge that most people know what foods are healthy but what represents a healthy approach to eating is still in dispute.
For instance, more than half of all parents believe that children should eat all the food on their plate, while Dr Cliodhna Foley Nolan claims that children are the best judge of when they are full.
Furthermore, Foley Nolan is against rewarding children for eating all the food on their plate. "This only exacerbates the problem," she says.
Perhaps the key point here is portion size and parents who develop a keen awareness of what is the right portion size for children of different ages and stature.
"Parents have to remember that life is a dynamic situation with growth spurts, mood swings and phases. Portion size is important but you've also to make sure that your children are getting a nutritionally balanced meal," says Foley Nolan.
Facing your own eating habits and physical activity levels as an adult is another key point the study makes. More specifically, the study found that while seven in 10 parents agreed that their own activity levels and eating habits influence those of their children, just over one in 10 parents spontaneously mention making changes to their own habits as a means of tackling potential obesity problems among their children.
Put simply, if children mirror healthy eating habits then they will also mirror unhealthy eating habits. And as chefs and food writers continuously point out, children are adventurous but it's often the parents' limited choice of food that restricts their diets.
Chef and food writer Denis Cotter is someone who has hands-on experience of cooking for and with children. He says, "I did a few teaching demonstrations for children in the spring which were very popular. Children have a huge appetite and excitement when confronted with unfamiliar foods - particularly when they have had a hand in making it."
The absence of home-cooking and eating together as a family is recognised as a factor in our so-called obesity crisis.
"In a perfect world, getting people to cook at home would be the solution but part of the problem is that people say they haven't time to cook and they have a fridge full of readymade meals," says Cotter, who owns Café Paradiso, the award-winning vegetarian restaurant in Cork city.
"If parents made more time for preparing and sharing food, it will be passed on to their children. Children get a huge amount of joy from engaging with food."
Ten tips to help your children eat healthy food
1 Try to ensure all the family eats three meals a day and eats together when possible.
2 Keep a good supply of healthy snacks such as dried and fresh fruit, unsweetened yoghurt, scones, popcorn, cheese and unsalted crackers.
3 Only buy biscuits, chocolate bars and crisps for special occasions.
4 Make smoothies and ice pops at home. Learn how to bake flapjacks, muffins and scones.
5 Keep a jug of water with slices of oranges so children can help themselves when they are thirsty.
6 Keep fizzy drinks and fruit cordials for parties and special occasions.
7 Bring a supply of fresh fruit and bottles of water on trips to the park and playground.
8 When buying snacks, choose popcorn instead of crisps and smoothies instead of fizzy drinks.
9 Never do the food shopping when you're hungry and check your trolley to ensure the bulk of your purchases are fruit, vegetables and unprocessed dairy and meat items.
10 Involve the whole family in preparing and cooking meals. Younger children can wash fruit and vegetables and older children can weigh ingredients and stir sauces.