New research from Michigan State University shows that leading by
example promotes healthier diets among children than explicit food
restrictions. 
PROBLEM: How does parental behavior during mealtime influence children's food intake, weight, and obesity risk?
METHODOLOGY: To explore the possible consequences of directive (overt) and nondirective (covert and environmental) forms of parental feeding control, Michigan State University researchers led by Megumi Murashima collected data from 330 dyads of children, aged three to five, and mothers participating in a federal preschool program for low-income families. They assessed the moms' feeding practices, the kids' food consumption, and the height and weight of both the mothers and children.
