Mother's diet affects kid's eating habits

Professor Mildred Horodynski of College of Nursing, Michigan State University, looked at nearly 400 low-income women with children aged between one and three years enrolled in ‘Early Head Start’ programmes.

Results show toddlers were less likely to consume fruits and vegetables four or more times a week if their mothers did not consume that quantity, reports the journal Public Health Nursing.

When mothers viewed their children as picky eaters, unwilling to try unfamiliar foods, a decrease was also seen in the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed. “What and how mothers eat is the most direct influence on what toddlers eat,” Horodynski said.

“Health professionals need to consider this when developing strategies to increase a child’s consumption of healthy foods. Diets low in fruits and vegetables even at young ages pose increased risks for chronic diseases later in life,” he added."

“Perceptions of a toddler as a picky eater may be related to parenting style or culture,” Horodynski said. “Mothers who viewed their children as picky eaters may be more lax in encouraging the consumption of fruits and vegetables.