Children involved in food prep classes may eat more fruits, veggies and fiber, study says
WebMD News from HealthDay
By Alex Kramer
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Nov. 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Getting kids involved in the kitchen, through cooking classes or at home, may make them more likely to choose healthy foods, according to a recent review.
Cooking programs and classes for children seem to positively influence children's food preferences and behaviors, according to the new research. And, although the review didn't look at long-term effects of such programs, the findings suggest that such programs might help children develop long-lasting healthy habits.
"It is important to expose children to healthy foods in a positive way," said Derek Hersch, the lead author of the study who also works with a cooking education program called Food Explorers at the Minnesota Heart Institute Foundation. "Creating habits and behaviors at this age is the most important part of it."
This research comes at a time when childhood obesity rates have been rising rapidly. More than one-third of adolescents in the United States were obese in 2012, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This trend has been caused, at least in part, by a significant decrease in the amount of meals that people consume at home since the 1980s, according to background information in the study. People are more likely to eat at restaurants, where meals are more calorie-dense and less nutritious, the study noted.
Sara Haas, a spokesperson with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, noted that time is a factor. "It has a lot to do with eating more convenience foods because parents are lacking time, and may not have learned to cook healthy meals," she said.
Cooking education programs, such as Food Explorers, teach children about new healthy foods and how to prepare them. They also stress the importance of eating five fruits and vegetables every day. A volunteer parent explains a new food to the group, and the kids make something based on the lesson, such as fruit skewers or spinach salad. Depending on the program, kids may be sent home with information about healthy foods to bring to their parents, the review explained.
source : Want Kids to Eat Better? Get Them Cooking
