Children who eat more fruits and vegetables share the feature of the main character

A new study found that children who care about and winging may be more likely to develop healthy eating habits in adolescence.

The results published in American Journal of Preventive MedicineIt indicates that encouraging the so -called “positive behavior” during childhood can serve as a possible approach to supporting healthy eating habits.

The researchers, led by a professor of social epidemics, Farah Quraishi of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg College for Public Health, analyzed data from the study of the Millennium Dirts in the United Kingdom – a representative longitudinal study at the national level that follows children from birth until adolescence.

By examining data from children between the ages of five to 17 years, the researchers found a consistent and meaningful link between social behaviors – such as caring for others, cooperation and assistance – and increased fruit and vegetable consumption during adolescence years.

“Often, we focus on what is happening in the lives of young people,” Qureshi said. “But what we hear from them again and again is that they are tired of that novel. They want us adults to pay more attention to what is true.”

According to the results of the study, children whom parents regularly described as beneficial and vocally at the age of five and 11 were more likely to report healthy habits more healthy in 14 and 17.

Researchers suggest that these social trends can provide psychological benefits-such as improving mood and flexibility-which help to increase decisions around food.

Professor Julia K Bohm from the University of Chapman: “Social behaviors … can affect health by enhancing social relations for children and improving psychological performance.”

She added: “All these, in turn, are resources that may teach options for health, as it becomes clear from our latest results.”

While the amending study of factors such as the social and economic situation, the marital status of the parents and previous eating behaviors, researchers admit that some family dynamics may still affect the results.

However, the long -term data and the large sample size make the results particularly convincing.

“Supporting the positives in childhood may be a promising strategy to promote health to look in the future,” said Professor Laura Copezensky from Harvard Second Public Health College.

She called for more assets-based methods that benefit from children’s strengths-such as sympathy, cooperation and sympathy-in public health interventions.

Dr. Quraishi simply put: “This study provides an important reminder of the power of kindness and mercy not only for those who receive it, but also to those who give it.”

Do you have a healthy story to share it? Newsweek? Do you have a question about nutrition? Let’s know across Health@newsweek.com.

reference

Qureshi, F., WoodWard, KP, Kubzansky, LD, & Boehm, JK (2025). Long children, healthy adolescents: stick to fruits, fruits and vegetables. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2025.107965