Kids benefit from sharing parents’ diet

YOUNG children who eat the same meals as parents are far more likely to have healthier diets than those who eat different foods, according to an academic from the Capital.

Edinburgh University researcher Valeria Skafida, who examined meal-time habits of more than 2000 five-year-olds, said her new study showed that eating the same food as parents had the biggest impact on children’s diets, regardless of background.

In light of the findings, her paper calls for more focus on helping parents establish good eating habits in children’s early years.

Ms Skafida said: “Offering separate ‘children’s food’ for a main meal may often result in children missing out nutritionally.

“It is likely that in cases where children eat different foods, they are eating a less nutritious option.”