The effect of parents’ nutritional knowledge and attitudes on their children’s eating habits

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of parents’ nutritional knowledge and attitudes on their children’s eating habits. Nutritional knowledge and dietary behavior of Kuwait University undergraduate students and their parents were evaluated using paper-based questionnaires to assess lifestyle and nutrition behavioral changes. A total sample of 700 female and male students was recruited for the study. A week positive relationship was found between parents’ nutritional knowledge and children’s eating habits (r=0.229). The findings suggest that parents’ nutritional knowledge can slightly assist in adopting healthier eating habits in children, which may reduce nutrition-related diseases. However, future studies should emphasize on exploring other factors affecting dietary behavior such as taste, availability, food cost or security, cultural or religious beliefs and perceptions about food and health.