title: Importance of mental performance in parental choice of food for children aged 4-10 years: a study in four European countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Typically, attention focuses on how nutrition affects physical health. The present study investigated the importance that parents attach to the impact of diet on mental performance when choosing food for their child.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four European countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parents of children aged 4-10 years (n 1574): England (n 397), Germany (n 389), Hungary (n 398) and Spain (n 390).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most parents (80-85 %) considered the effect of food on four elements of mental performance (child's ability to learn, attention, behaviour, mood) to be moderately, very, extremely (v. slightly, not at all) important in food choices; over 90 % considered healthiness of food and making food appealing to their child important; 79·8 % cost; 76·8 % convenience. Belief that food affects mental performance was 57·4 % (ability to learn), 60·5 % (attention); less than 40 % of parents agreed they were aware which foods had an effect. Parents with lower general interest in healthy eating were less likely to consider the effect of food on mental performance elements as important. Respondents from Germany were more likely to rate mental performance as important (except behaviour); those in Hungary less likely. The most important influence on parents' decisions about feeding their child was their own experience, except Spain, where family/friends/health professionals were more important.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nutrition affects brain development and cognitive functioning. Low prioritisation of the effect of food on mental performance indicates potential for educating parents.
authors.affiliation: 1Food,Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre,University of Surrey,Guildford,Surrey,GU2 7XH,UK.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2049-9406
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gage
authors.affiliation: 1Food,Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre,University of Surrey,Guildford,Surrey,GU2 7XH,UK.
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Egan
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Mathematics,University of Surrey,Guildford,Surrey,UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: 3Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital,Ludwig-Maximilians University,Munich,Germany.
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brands
authors.affiliation: 4Department of Paediatrics,University of Pécs,Pecs,Hungary.
authors.forename: Eszter
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Györei
authors.affiliation: 5Department of Paediatrics,University of Granada,Granada,Spain.
authors.forename: Juan-Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: López-Robles
authors.affiliation: 5Department of Paediatrics,University of Granada,Granada,Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campoy
authors.affiliation: 4Department of Paediatrics,University of Pécs,Pecs,Hungary.
authors.forename: Tamas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Decsi
authors.affiliation: 3Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital,Ludwig-Maximilians University,Munich,Germany.
authors.forename: Berthold
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koletzko
authors.affiliation: 1Food,Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre,University of Surrey,Guildford,Surrey,GU2 7XH,UK.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raats
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003071:Cognition; D003657:Decision Making; D000072001:Diet, Healthy / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D005858:Germany; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Children; European countries; Food choice; Mental performance; Parents