For the longest time we had thought that parents play a pivotal role in the eating habits of children. Think again now. Recent research indicates that the parents not much influence on kids’ eating habits, according to studies conducted at the Center for Human Nutrition, Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Previous suggestions on parental influence on the kids' eating habits seem to have been dispelled by recent research and findings; after conducting extensive studies on parent-child associations. Parental influence over the years seems to have declined making the whole concept a moot point now. The results of a study by Dr. Youfa Wang were published as recently as December 8^th, 2010 in LA Times covering populations from 1980 to 2009. A weak correlation influence was found to be prevalent in these studies, more so in the United States.

Children today are seen to be more influenced by their peers, school environment and policies, advertisements in the media, in addition to family eating habits. Generally it is noted that a healthy food environment at home is crucial for the children to make an intelligent choice regarding their dietary intake. If more junk food is available at home than healthy options, they will automatically reach for it. Parents can indirectly influence the family eating habits by stocking up on healthy alternatives at home and serving the same on the dinner table. Kids are prone to influence by advertisements appearing on TV, magazines or radio and may gravitate towards what appeals to them- which in turn gets re-enforced if the school is not strict about it or if their friends are seen indulging in the same, over time.

Since the school environment has a big impact, favorable decisions can be made by the authorities and Government can make sure this is enforced by schools in the region. Parental influence is still important at home and could be done hand in hand with the school policies. As they say ‘it takes a village to raise a kid.’

More information on the research: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health

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