School dinners may encourage picky teenagers to eat better, study suggests
When children who were picky eaters got to choose their own food at school at lunchtime they ate a wider variety of food compared with those who had a packed lunch, researchers found.
The findings, published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, suggest picky eaters at the age of 13 were more likely than non-picky children to avoid meat, fish and fruit in their packed lunches.
But there was little evidence of picky eaters avoiding meat, fish and fruit in school dinners.
Researchers examined data from more than 5,300 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children – also known as the 'Children of the 90s' study.
The University of Bristol-led study analysed data from children when they were pre-schoolers and again at age 13 to understand how picky eating behaviour changes over time.
'Our results suggest that some picky eating behaviours persist while others may be modified in adolescents when they are away from direct familial influence, such as when eating school dinners with their peers,' the study said.
It added: 'It is likely that family norms have a stronger influence over packed lunch content than over school dinner choices where the child has more autonomy and may be influenced by their peers.'
Dr Caroline Taylor, lead researcher and associate professor in nutrition at the University of Bristol, said: 'Every child is different, and what works for some won't work for others.
'We found that school dinners could be a good option to increase variety in the diets of picky teens, but there are plenty of other things parents can do to encourage a healthy diet.
'Whether that is enjoying family meals together, modelling a balanced diet yourself, or involving them in meal preparation, it all helps.
'We know that most picky children are eating enough, but they're sometimes lacking a good balance of foods.
'It's important to encourage all children to eat enough nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables to help them grow and develop, whether that's at home or at school.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
9 minutes ago
- The Independent
The eating habits that could lower your risk of diabetes
Research indicates that several healthy diets can significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, irrespective of a person's ethnicity. An analysis by University of Cambridge researchers, involving 826,000 people across 33 studies, examined the Dash, Mediterranean, and Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) diets. Adherence to these dietary patterns led to substantial reductions in type 2 diabetes risk: Dash by 23 per cent, Mediterranean by 17 per cent, and AHEI by 21 per cent. The study found that the benefits of these diets were consistent across African, Asian, European, and Hispanic ethnic groups, suggesting universal applicability. These findings strengthen the evidence that such dietary patterns can be promoted across all populations to reduce type 2 diabetes risk.
Telegraph
10 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Why men don't talk to the GP about prostate cancer
Men are often more familiar with Formula 1 world champions than they are with signs of prostate cancer, research has found. A new survey has exposed widespread confusion among men about prostate cancer and prostate health more widely. The poll found that 27 per cent of men could name more leading racing drivers than signs of prostate problems. Meanwhile, a third were too shy to speak to their GP about their problems, while almost half were unaware of how screening worked. A quarter believed they did not need to be checked unless they had symptoms. Why we're campaigning for change The Telegraph is campaigning for the introduction of targeted screening so those most at risk, such as black men and those with a family history of disease, are offered PSA tests. Experts are also calling for current NHS guidance to be rewritten so that GPs are told to discuss prostate cancer risks with men, rather than waiting to see if they bring it up. Prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do appear, they can include changes in urination, such as needing to urinate more frequently, especially at night, difficulty starting or stopping urination, a weak urine stream, and a feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely. However, urination problems are also common in old age, as well as being linked to other less serious problems. Persistent back pain, fatigue and weight loss can be symptoms of advanced disease. Early diagnosis is critical Late diagnosis is linked to far worse survival. Men diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early stage have five-year survival rates of almost 100 per cent. This compares to rates of around 50 per cent once it has spread beyond the prostate. Every year, around 55,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, making it the most common cancer in men, with 12,000 deaths. However, prostate cancer is the only major cancer with no screening programme. The poll of 2,000 men by Vista Health found 35 per cent have delayed or avoided speaking to a healthcare professional about potential prostate issues. Embarrassment was the most common reason, cited by 16 per cent. Widespread ignorance Twenty-six per cent of respondents did not know where the prostate is located and 65 per cent could not confidently explain its function (it makes semen and controls the flow of urine). A fifth of men wrongly believed the prostate was located in the bladder, when the small gland is actually below. More than a quarter of men said they had sought tests after public figures spoke out. It comes after The Telegraph revealed that almost 5,000 extra men have been referred by the NHS for urological cancer in the six months after Sir Chris Hoy, 49, the six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist, spoke about his diagnosis. The polling found that a quarter of men said they were also more likely to undergo checks if encouraged by their partners, while four in ten said the y would do so for peace of mind. The polling was commissioned by Vista Health, which offers a prostate screening service, including PSA blood testing and MRI where needed. Dr Reem Hasan, the chief medical officer at Vista Health, said: 'These findings are a real wake-up call. Many men are understandably worried about prostate cancer, but too often they don't fully understand what the prostate is, what it does, or whether they may be at increased risk. That confusion can quickly become fear and sadly, fear can delay action. Empowerment over embarrassment 'We urgently need to replace myths with facts, and embarrassment with empowerment. Prostate health should not be a taboo topic. Getting checked does not have to be invasiv e or uncomfortable. A simple PSA blood test, followed by an MRI if needed, can offer clarity and real peace of mind.' The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) is currently considering whether to recommend the rollout of testing. In the past, it has rejected the idea because of concern that PSA tests are too unreliable, and would result in too many men undergoing needless procedures. However, in recent years the back-up technology used to confirm a diagnosis has significantly improved, with hopes that further advances being tested in Prostate Cancer UK's Transform trial could mean that, in future, screening could cut deaths by 40 per cent.
Reuters
10 minutes ago
- Reuters
Musk's Neuralink to launch a clinical study in Great Britain
July 31 (Reuters) - Elon Musk's brain implant company Neuralink said on Thursday it will launch a clinical study in Great Britain to test how its chips can enable patients with severe paralysis to control digital and physical tools with their thoughts.
