HE-4
Kids and Food
“If You Don’t Like It, Neither Do I”
Judith Myers-Walls, Ph.D., Extension Specialist, Human Development
Most children do not know about, nor care about, “food value,” “vitamins,” “minerals,” or “food groups,” making it important for parents to provide guidance to their children to help them eat right. This publication will explore the ways in which parents influence children’s eating habits and suggest some specific techniques parents can use to guide children as they learn about nutrition. How can parents help children to appreciate and enjoy foods that are good for them?
A social event
Food involves much more than nutrition, especially for a young child. The world of an infant centers around eating. Hunger brings about the first feelings of discomfort, while being fed represents the first true feelings of satisfaction. Children practice using their fingers and coordinating their hands and eyes by feeding themselves.
This social quality of eating continues throughout life. Children—and perhaps adults—are most likely to eat those things that look and taste good; that are offered when they are hungry; and that are offered in a relaxed, comfortable, social environment. Even in adulthood, some of our most pleasant experiences involve eating in the company of other people.
This social quality of nutrition affects the teaching of eating habits to children in several ways. First, since parents are important social figures in the lives of children, they have the power to influence children’s eating habits in many ways. Being aware of that power is very helpful in the teaching process. Second, parents should realize that simply telling the child what they want him or her to know will not always result in changed behavior.
Finally, parents should consider the social surroundings when trying to improve the child’s eating habits.
The parent factor
Studies have shown that children and parents tend to eat the same types of foods and have the same types of nutritional strengths and weaknesses. Further, it has been found that the mother’s nutritional knowledge is related to the child's nutritional health.
What you see is what you get
One of the most obvious reasons for the similarities between parent and child nutrition is that parents buy most of the food consumed by the family and make the choices as to what will be available to the children. Many of the family meals are eaten together. If parents do not have sufficient background knowledge, the foods they purchase and serve may not provide children with nutritious choices at mealtime or for snacks. On the other hand, parents who do understand nutrition are likely to provide choices that are good for the child.
Johnny got home and headed straight for the refrigerator. He found raw eggs, pre-sweetened drink mix, leftover green beans, and shriveled apples. He decided on the drink mix and checked out the cookie jar.
Stevie came home from school and headed for his refrigerator, too. He found raisins, tangerines, milk, cheese, sliced celery and carrots, and hard-boiled eggs. He decided on raisins and milk.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • PURDUE UNIVERSITY • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA