(14-11-10) Influence of parents and friends on children's and adolescents' food intake and food selection.

Salvy SJ, Elmo A, Nitecki LA, Kluczynski MA, Roemmich JN.

Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo,
NY.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The influence of parents compared with friends on youths' eating
behavior has not been directly compared, and little is known about the
developmental effects of social influences on their eating behavior.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the effects of mothers and friends on
children's and adolescents' energy intake from sandwiches and from healthy and
unhealthy snacks and dessert foods.

DESIGN: Twenty-three children (ages 5-7 y) and 27 adolescents (ages 13-15 y)
ate a meal with their mother on one occasion and with a same-sex friend on
another occasion.

RESULTS: Male and female children consumed less energy from unhealthy snacks
when in the presence of their mothers than when in the company of their
friends. Conversely, female adolescents consumed less energy from unhealthy
snacks and more energy from healthy snacks when they were with their friends
than when with their mothers.

CONCLUSIONS: Food selection is differentially influenced by the source of
social influence and the age and sex of the child. Parents may act as an
inhibitory influence on unhealthy eating for younger children. Adolescent girls
may try to convey a good impression of healthy eating when eating with same-sex
friends, but the eating habits of teenage boys are not as influenced by the
social context. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00875576

Source: Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Nov 3.

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