Developing a healthy relationship with food in childhood helps fight obesity

Developing healthy food relationships in children helps fight obesity (Photo:Bread for the World)

Helping children develop a healthy relationship with food helps fight obesity experts say.

The 2007-2008 National Health Survey found that one in four Australian children aged 5 to 17 years are overweight or obese.

Ms Melanie McGrice, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Spokesperson for the Dietitians Association of Australia said helping children develop a healthy relationship with food is essential because it has a pivotal impact upon their future eating habits.

“There are still so many parents who try to teach their children that they need to eat everything that is on their plate,” Ms McGrice said.

“But, children have much smaller stomachs than adults and they have very sensitive appetite hormones, so they’re very good at judging when they’ve had enough to eat,” she said.

Dr Josie Spataro, Psychologist and Eating Disorder Specialist, said it is also important for children to see food as a normal part of everyday life and not something that needs to be dictated by mood, weight, or self-esteem.

“Offer a variety of foods, allow them to have treats without inducing guilt in them, and don’t force them to eat when they are not hungry,” Dr Spataro said.

Mr Peter Tait, father of two, said he found a combination of junk food, television commercials, and peer pressure made it hard to establish healthy eating habits in his children.

“Sometimes when you hear other parents talk about how much, or what, their child eats it can become quite confusing,” Mr Tait said.

Ms McGrice said parents who are concerned about their child’s eating habits should seek expert advice.