Small bowls and plates can help children avoid obesity

The results of new studies published in the US said that using small dishes and eating lots of meals a day can help children eat less thus avoiding the risk of obesity.

The findings of scientists from Temple University in Philadelphia, USA show that first-graders feed themselves on smaller portions when using small dishes and they eat less. when dishes have less food.

Lead researcher Jennifer Fisher and colleagues conducted research on 42 first grade children in an elementary school, in which they served their own lunch.

In the first four days, children used small bowls and plates of children and the next four days used adults' bowls and plates with twice the size. Researchers found that the average self-serve lunch students "loaded" an average of 300-500 calories, including pasta or chicken, but when using an average adult's or children's bowl or plate more than 90 calories, and when taking more than you also eat more. In addition, children with anorexia also tend to eat more.

Dr. Thomas Robinson, a researcher on obesity in children at the University of Stanford in California, USA, said the results of the study corroborated the previous conclusion that the impact of the size of the plate With adults in the lab also applies to children.

This study gives important preliminary conclusions that using smaller bowls and plates may help reduce children's energy absorption. This is a simple issue that parents can easily implement without spending a lot of time and effort.

Another study by Greek researchers resulted in an overweight rate of 22% for children and adolescents who regularly eat during the day compared to those who ate fewer meals and fewer snacks. .

To compare the relationship between regular diets and weight, researchers from Harokopio University in Athens, Greece conducted 11 studies on 19,000 children and adolescents.

Initial results show that adolescents who eat the most meals, at least 4 or 5 times a day, are less likely to be overweight or obese. But in closer study, the researchers found that the relationship only took place in boys, but not all children would lose weight by eating more often.

However, scientists still recommend that schools should organize smaller and more frequent meals to serve them during the day. In the family, instead of just giving the children 3 meals a day, parents can give them more meals and snacks as well as pay attention to the quality of snacks.

The third study, also published this week in the US, says teenagers spend more time watching TV often weigh more than their peers. But the time to play games on video or computer is not related to the weight of children.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012, the United States has about 17% of children and adolescents with obesity, a rate nearly three times since 1980.