Eat to live or live to eat? Do parents and children agree?

The lifestyles and diets of children in developed countries is changing rapidly in response to the social and cultural climate, as well as the availability of an increasing range of foods. The aim of this on-going study is to assess the trends in food-related behaviours of children and their attitudes towards food and nutrition. The study also monitors markers for physical activity, which have been presented elsewhere (Bellisle et al, 2000). Three successive surveys (1993, 1995, and 1997) were carried out on samples of 1000 French children aged 9--11 years and their mothers.

Attitudes towards food varied markedly between children and their mothers. Children viewed food primarily as a necessity of life, whereas mothers viewed food primarily as a pleasure for their child, with necessity and nutrition given a lower importance. Contrary to popular belief children's enjoyment of 'unhealthy' and 'healthy' foods was similar. French-fries were the favourite food for 92% of children, closely followed by pasta (89%). Fruit and candy received similar scores (82% and 81% respectively), suggesting that external factors such as convenience are the prime barrier to fruit consumption rather than the enjoyment factor. Over the three surveys a strong persistence of the traditional French meal pattern has been demonstrated, with breakfast, lunch and evening meals eaten by 97%, 96% and 99% of children respectively. One increasing occurrence is the viewing of television during meal times with 25% of breakfasts, 46% of afternoon snacks and 41% of evening meals consumed in front of the television. Children's attitudes towards food demonstrated an overwhelming trust of their mother and her ability to provide them with nourishing foods. Mothers often found it difficult to reconcile the demands of family life, employment, healthy eating and the maintenance of a pleasurable atmosphere at mealtimes.

Overall, children and mothers appeared to have divergent attitudes towards food. An understanding of children's enjoyment of foods considered more 'healthy' or less 'healthy' enables effective nutrition messages to be developed for children. However, further work is needed to explore the long-term impact of mothers' attitudes towards food and mealtimes on a child's relationship to food and eating habits during adolescence through to adulthood.