A socio-ecological perspective on behavioural interventions to influence food choice in schools: alternative, complementary or synergistic?

Objective: An increasing focus on legislation, policy and guidance on the nutritional content of school food has in part been in response to the limited impact of more behavioural or educational approaches. However, there is a risk that a sole focus on policy-level action may lead to neglect of the important contribution that more behavioural approaches can make as components of effective, coordinated, multilevel action to improve the dietary intake of schoolchildren. The current paper aims to highlight the potential importance of viewing alternative approaches as complementary or synergistic, rather than competing.

Feeding goals sought by mothers of 3-5-year-old children.

Objectives: One means through which children learn eating behaviours is the feeding strategies used by parents. Although research has studied the effects of parental feeding strategies on consumption, choice, and liking, little is known about the goals parents themselves seek. The study aimed to explore the feeding goals sought by parents of preschool children.

Feeding strategies used by mothers of 3-5-year-old children.

Appropriate use of parental feeding strategies could help establish healthy childhood eating practices. Research suggests that repeated taste exposure and modelling may be effective, pressuring and restricting may be counterproductive, and rewards may be effective or counterproductive depending on their use. However, little is known about the extent to which parents employ these strategies and within what contexts.