The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
August 18, 2008
A five-year study published in the journal Preventive Medicine finds that parents who eat healthy foods can inspire their children to do so as well, the Los Angeles Times reports. Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis divided participants—1,306 parents and children ages 2 and 5—into two groups. Both groups received four visits from parent educators, but one group was also enrolled in a program that encourages families to eat more fruits and vegetables at home. The program provides parents with nutrition materials and gives children tapes with sing-along stories and coloring books. Compared to the other group, those families receiving more encouragement and information ate significantly more fruits and vegetables.