Children’s views on food and nutrition: a pan-European study

Abstract

The first, essential step in product innovation and marketing of children’s food and drinks is an accurate understanding of their nutritional knowledge and perceptions. Much inaccurate, even biased ‘misinformation’ has been promoted by those who profess to represent the best interests of children and yet whose opinions are based more on personal ‘hobbyhorses’ than on any reliable, quantitative market research. For example, some experts argue that children’s diet today is made up primarily of fast foods, carbonated soft drinks, confectionery and non-dairy ice cream! Others argue that children’s knowledge and perceptions of nutritional food and drink values is low — or simply wrong. Yet others argue that TV advertising has a major adverse effect.