User:Yaboycdiet/sandbox

Extensive research has revealed that the role of parents in childhood nutrition is significant. Although often parents struggle with how to improve their children's diets, setting them on the right path to a healthy life, there is significant scientific research to answer these questions. Most studies agree that "preferences are shaped by a combination of genetic and environmental factors."

Genetic

Some scientists believe that there are genetic factors that shape whether or not a child is going to be obese. According to a 2009 review of the role of genetics in childhood obesity, there are elements in the DNA of many children that could lead to obesity. However, these genes seem to be activated or not activated depending on environmental factors, and in general, "the common forms of childhood obesity seem to result from a predisposition that primarily favors obesogenic behaviors in an obesogenic environment." An different study, in 2006 of the determinants of childhood obesity in a group of Dutch adolescents, saw "no significant genetic correlation." There are fundamental genetic predispositions though, according to a 2011 article. The author cites cross-cultural innate preferences to sweetness and dislike of bitter flavors, as well as a general preference of high-fat foods to vegetables.

Behavioral

The most significant indicators of children's eating habits reside in the environment they grow up in. That same 2011 article looked into the parental factors of nutrition, and stated:
 * "Especially the more parents are inconsistent, erratic in their eating schedules,
 * and harder to predict regarding healthy compared with unhealthy
 * eating patterns, the worse is the inﬂuence on their children’s
 * disinhibited eating when parents use more restriction"

The article later went on to say that the most common way of encouraging good nutrition, using sweets as a reward for eating fruits and vegetables, was also the behavior most likely to cause poor dietary habits. Another article, published in January 2012, argued that tangible rewards for eating fruits and vegetables are effective, but that having food as that reward was dangerous. Ultimately, both these articles came to the conclusion that the strongest determinant of a child's diet was that of their parents. Simply put, if the parents eat well, the child will be more likely to view fruits and vegetables in a positive light and follow their lead. Another article went more in depth into different methods through which parents can encourage their kids to have good nutrition. Parents shouldn't use treats as a reward, nor should they bargain with their child. Instead, what is most effective, again, is simply modeling good behavior and finding ways to make food fun, not just an obstacle.