As a parent you are your child’s first teacher and their lifetime role model. Just as little girls want to dress up in Mummy’s shoes, kids often emulate eating and exercise patterns from their parents too. Research has revealed particular patterns to role modelling. For instance, girls tend to mimic the eating behaviour and body image concerns of their mothers, while boys are more likely to adopt the exercise habits of their dads. Parents, naturally, strongly influence the food choice of their children. With a huge array of foods on offer, it’s not uncommon to stick to a limited range of favourite recipes at home. And your child is unlikely to try a food you dislike, unless they are at a restaurant or a friend’s house. So here are some friendly reminders about being a healthy eating role model:
