Anxious to ensure that their children get enough nutrition to stay healthy, parents are putting their children at the risk of obesity by putting too much food on their plates, a new study shows.
Melbourne, Mar 10 : Anxious to ensure that their children get enough nutrition to stay healthy, parents are putting their children at the risk of obesity by putting too much food on their plates, a new study shows.
According to The Kids And Nutrition report, in a survey of 302 mothers with children aged between one and seven, one in three mothers admitted that she was giving her child too much food.
Out of the total people surveyed, 82 per cent said that when their child left food on their plate it was because they were fussy eaters, reported theage.com.au.
Responding to the survey results, Sydney pediatrician Michael Kohn said that being difficult or contrary at meal times, and only eating a few bites was normal child behaviour.
He said that children had 'a tremendous capacity' to self-regulate their food intake to guarantee adequate energy and nutrition.
He further said that children's should not be forced to continue eating once they say that they are full.
The survey was conducted online by Galaxy Research on behalf of Meat and Livestock Australia, which found that at the end of the nightly meal eight out of 10 were unsure whether their children's nutritional needs had been met.
Almost half of them used dessert as a bargaining tool, while 39 per cent used 'stern words' to make their child finish their meal.
ANI