Food Rewards Contribute to Childhood Obesity
Bribing Kids With Food May Lead to Health Issues for Teens & Adults
Oct 28, 2009
Food is more than a source of nutrition and energy. Food provides adults with an effective way to control children that don't behave. Unfortunately, by manipulating a child with treats or any type of food, it's possible to form destructive eating habits that can lead to dietary problems, particularly obesity. Children who develop an emotional bond with food are likely to become overweight adults.
Controlling a Child's Disruptive Behavior With Food
Using food to control a child's bad behavior has to be one of the oldest tricks in the parenting book. The classic scene is that of the desperate parent in the grocery store who is trying without much success to quiet her screaming child. Nine times out of ten the child is going to get an offer of a cookie (at the very least).
Sometimes, the bargaining gets tough and Mom (or Dad) ends up taking a trip to the closest fast-food restaurant. It makes no difference whether the food is a cookie, a kid’s meal, or even an apple. Not only is the child being manipulative and getting a reward for behaving badly, but he is also consuming extra calories in the process. Unfortunately for the child, health problems may develop over time as a result of parents using food as a bribe or as a reward.
Parents and Kids at the Food Bargaining Table
Getting a child to eat what's on his plate can be tough. Parents want the child to get the proper nutrition, but kids can be finicky eaters even when it comes to nutritious foods they like. It might seem absurd to allow a child to eat only as much as he or she wants (i.e. a few bites) during a meal, but doing so – and not making a fuss about it – puts eating food in the proper perspective. There is no pleading, no bargaining with a dessert, and no extra calories.
Barring any medical problems, there is no good reason for making a child eat beyond the amount that satisfies him. Chances are the child who eats very little will eventually get hungry enough to eat a greater amount. Some kids respond better to 4 or 5 smaller meals rather than 3 larger meals. One solution to a child's finicky eating is to keep nutritious snacks on hand.
Food Rewards for Chores Completed and/or Making Good Grades in School
Children respond to reward incentives just as adults do. When kids connect food rewards to completing chores there is a good chance the same connection will carry over to employment in later years.
There is certainly nothing wrong with celebrating an exceptionally good report card with a special dinner. Problems arise however, when the family acknowledges each and every accomplishment in the child's life with a food celebration.
The American Obesity Association website has posted an online article titled, "Childhood Obesity" (no author given, 2002). The article offers information on health issues, diagnosis, and treatment. Treatment includes behavior therapy for obesity and includes the comment: "Avoid using food as a reward, especially high-calories foods. Making them a reward may only make them more desirable. Parents and health professionals should regularly use verbal praise."
Food is a source of energy and nutrition. The long term results of using food as a reward or to control behavior are excess calories and the risk of emotional overeating. Overeating leads to obesity. Being overweight puts children, teens and adults at risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and other weight-related medical problems.
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