In a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers at Appalachian State University found mothers who consumed more fruits and vegetables are less likely to pressure their daughters to eat and their daughters are less picky, eat more fruits and vegetables, eat fewer fats and sweets and are less likely to be overweight.
"Although research on picky eating is limited, recent findings indicate that prior food experience plays a role in picky eating," according to the researchers, who add that duration of breast feeding and mothers' consumption of vegetables are both "negatively related" to picky eating.
The researchers studied dietary patterns of more than 180 girls, at ages 7 and 9, who are taking part in a larger study of the health and development of young girls.
The study found connections between "maternal pressure to eat when girls were 7 and girls' picky eating at age 9, (providing) stronger evidence that the use of parental pressure in feeding may promote both picky eating and lower fruit and vegetable consumption."
Other findings include:
The authors suggest parents of young children "should focus less on 'picky eating' behaviors and more on modeling fruit and vegetable consumption for their children."
The Journal of the American Dietetic Association is the official research publication of the American Dietetic Association and is the premier peer-reviewed journal in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
With nearly 65,000 members, the American Dietetic Association is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Based in Chicago, ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. Visit ADA at www.eatright.org .
Journal of the American Dietetic Association