Primary school children should not be rewarded with unhealthy food for good behaviour, an expert has said.

According to Tam Fry, National Obesity Forum board member and chair for the Child Growth Foundation in the UK, parents must not offer treats to their youngsters in return for them behaving well, as this results in "bad messages about healthy eating" being transmitted to children.

Mr Fry stated that youngsters' relationship with food can be negatively affected if they associate chocolate and sweets with their actions.

"There are many, many other ways in which you can reward your children for being good," he added.

The professional went on to insist that treats must instead be associated with special occasions and not used as an "everyday occurrence".

Meanwhile, research published earlier this week (February 28th 2011) by Slimming World in conjunction with YouGov found that parents rewarding their primary school-aged kids with comfort foods are potentially setting them up for a lifetime of weight problems.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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