Child obesity

Citation

(2008), "Child obesity", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 38 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2008.01738eab.006

Child obesity

Article Type: Food facts From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 38, Issue 5.

Child obesity and poor performance at school could be linked to the demise of traditional family mealtimes, according to research from the University of Wales, Newport.

The study, carried out by the Dyscovery Centre at Newport's University, which is internationally renowned for its work in developmental disorders, was one of the topics discussed at the National Children's Nutrition Conference, entitled “Better Nutrition, Better Learning, Better Futures”, at St. David's Hotel in Cardiff on 10 June.

“Our research, undertaken in 18 primary schools across Newport, shows that the traditional image of families gathering around a table for meals – which has the benefit of teaching social and communication skills and modelling appropriate eating habits – is becoming less common. This may have implications, not only for the family but also for schools”, said Professor Amanda Kirby, Medical Director of the Dyscovery Centre, whose team of health and educational professionals examine the links between developmental disorders, behaviour and nutrition.

“In our study of over 400 nine-year-olds, 24 per cent almost always watched television while eating their meals, and ate either alone or with their siblings but not with their parents”.

“Surprisingly, 19 per cent of children reported having difficulty using cutlery – which may be related to eating in front of the TV and using one implement or fingers – and 12 per cent were not eating at a table. This may have repercussions in the classroom, as using cutlery is a task that helps children use a pen and aids early writing development”.

“Although this study has focused on the home the results may also require a major rethink about how school meals are provided. Twenty years ago lunchtime in British schools was a formal occasion, with children sitting at a table with a monitor who fetched the food and a teacher at the head of each table. This does take place in some schools today and may be something to consider for every school in Wales as a way of combating the obesity epidemic by developing good eating habits, improving social interaction and providing the opportunity to gain skills that some children may be missing at home”.

“Our findings will be a key element of this major conference in Cardiff which will focus on the latest research into food and nutrition and examine ways that parents and those working with children can help ensure all young people have a better future through healthy eating”, she added.

The Dyscovery Centre is part of the University of Wales, Newport. It has an international reputation for its work in developmental disorders, offering research and training, together with a comprehensive clinical service for children and adults (www.dyscovery.co.uk).

The Waterloo Foundation is an independent grant-making foundation based in Wales, funding projects both in the UK and worldwide. It has a dedicated interest in children's psychological development, particularly the impact of environmental factors – including children's nutrition – and genetic factors, on neuropsychological development (www.waterloofoundation.org.uk).

Food and Behaviour Research (FAB Research) is a charitable organisation dedicated both to advancing scientific research into the links between nutrition and human behaviour, and to making the findings from such research available to the widest possible audience (www.fabresearch.org).