• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast

Peers Influence Kids Eating Habits More Than Parents

June 12, 2009 by Paul Banas 4 Comments

A new study published online in Social Science and Medicine says that parents’ eating habits actually have little to do with what kids eat.  The national study, which looked at a representative sample of 2291 parents and 2692 children found little similarity between kids’ and parents’ diets, with just a slight edge moms versus dads.  However, the study did show that, especially as kids get older, peers have a far larger effect, with more similarities within peer groups.  Kids do tend to eat what other kids are eating.

The study did not try to analyze why parents’ and kids’ diets don’t resemble each other more, but suggests that parents aren’t doing as good a job as they should to not only show good eating examples, but get kids to actually follow them.

Parenting advice:  Watch what you eat, model good eating habits and make sure kids are eating a diet similar to the (good) one you are following.  Failing that, make sure your children eat often with other kids who are healthy eaters.

Filed Under: Kids

Paul Banas

About Paul Banas

Paul Banas is happy married dad of two great kids living in San Francisco. He writes now about kids, new technology and how the two interact for GreatDad.com and for Pregnancy Magazine (pregnancymagazine.com) where he is also the publisher.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. paula says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    I do agree that kids are influenced by peers but if the kids are taught in their childhood how to accept healthy foods then they will have less influence from their peers.”Monkey see Monkey do”.Children copy parent behavior and not follow instructions and more than peers its the family dynamics that influence the eating pattern in child.We can develop a good eating pattern in our kids through simple things and to learn more you you can visit habit changer’s “Feeding you kids program”

    Log in to Reply
  2. Rob says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    If it was published online, could you provide a link?
    If it’s subscription only, could you mention this is why no link is provided?

    (Why is City REQUIRED to leave a comment here?)

    Log in to Reply
  3. nina says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    i agree with this because i have my own kids and they do tend to try and copy what i eat.

    Log in to Reply
  4. nina says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    where is anchorage rob?

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
SIGN-UP TODAY to receive the only baby newsletter written by dads, for dads. Act now and receive a free copy of the popular GreatDad E-Book!
My baby's due date or birthday :
Profile picture
Privacy Policy and Terms
Baby Name Finder!

what's in a name

  • Show names for:
  • Boys
  • Girls
  • Either
Finding a name you can both agree on isn't always easy. Use our simple name generator to get started.
First Letter
Last Letter
Number of Letters
Origin
Find a name!

More to See

family under a cardboard

Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have

October 22, 2022 By Contributing Authors

A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games

May 5, 2022 By Contributing Authors

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Footer

Hi mom!

Would you like to share this site with your husband or a friend?

Just enter his email address and your name below and we'll let him know all about GreatDad.com.

His email address
Your Name

Recent

  • Special Clarity session – $25
  • Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have
  • A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games
  • 5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for a Surgical Procedure
  • How to get kids excited about dental hygiene

Search

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Copyright © 2023 . GreatDad