Families outstrip celebrities as children’s healthy living role models

The research, conducted as part of BNF Healthy Eating Week (which takes place between Monday June 13 and Friday June 17 in schools nationwide), surveyed a total of 14,399 children aged 7–16-years-old. It found that, while children were bombarded with celebrity stories and images, they still looked up to close family members to set an example for healthy living.

Nearly a third (31%) of children surveyed said that family members were their healthy eating role models, while almost a quarter (23%) of children reported that family members were their role models for being active, second only to sports people (26%).

Celebrities ranked further down both the healthy-eating and exercise role-model lists (identified by 11% and 9% of the children, respectively).

One of largest surveys​

The research – one of the largest surveys of its kind in the UK – also revealed that the balance in role-model influence shifted with age. While 37% of 7–10-year-olds rated family as their role models for healthy eating, under a quarter (23%) of 14–16-year-olds did the same.

Conversely, 6% of the younger age group looked up to celebrities as healthy eating role models but by the age of 14–16 years, that percentage had nearly trebled to 16%. A similar pattern was seen for sporting role models with the proportion of children looking up to family members dropping from 28% at age 7–10 years, to 23% by the 11–13 year age group, and again to 17% by the age of 14–16 years.

The influence of celebrity role models for healthy eating rose from 4% in 7–10 year-olds to 13% in the 14–16 year age group, and varied from 6% in boys of all age groups to 16% in girls.

“We are able to see from the children’s point of view the influence that close family members and friends can have on their attitudes and behaviour in relation to food and exercise, as well as the positive impact that strategies for changing behaviour can have in their lives,”​ said Roy Ballam, md and head of education at the BNF.

Children look to family​

“While models for good practice can be set out, and the science and application of food and nutrition learned in the classroom, children told us that they look to those close to them at home to help them implement positive changes in their lives.”​

When asked what nudges they would choose to help keep them on track with their healthy changes, 36% of the children surveyed said they would choose to have healthier food and drink options available at home, although the research has also shown that over half (55%) could already help themselves to fruit and vegetables at home all of the time.

“These research findings indicate that family role models are important in helping young people to make good choices related to food and physical activity and in supporting them in remaining motivated to achieve their targets,”​ added Ballam.

“But it also shows that children have negative feelings and perceptions associated with healthy living which need to be countered – 14% of children say that the thing that stops them from eating healthily or being more active is that ‘I find it boring’” or ‘I don’t have time’ and 13% say ‘I can’t be bothered’.”​​

BNF Healthy Eating Week 2016​ is now in its fourth year. It was developed to promote healthy eating and drinking, being active, food provenance and cooking in schools.