Influence of parents and friends on children's and adolescents' food intake and food selection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The influence of parents versus 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

SUBMITTER: Salvy SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3001599 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature