This book explores current research on young children’s beliefs and knowledge about the biological world – otherwise known as ‘folkbiology’. Contributors discuss factors that shape the development of folkbiological knowledge, as well as possible interventions designed to counteract cognitive biases that can interfere with the development of scientifically informed reasoning about natural phenomena. Taken together, the papers provide insights into the contributions of cognitive biases to the development of biological misunderstandings and into the life experiences and contexts that can contribute to or impede accurate learning of biological concepts. As part of a wider literature, the insights provided by the authors are relevant to the design of educational experiences that will foster children’s exploration and further their understanding of life science ideas. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Early Education and Development.

Creating an environment in which children in the United States grow up healthy should be a high priority for the nation. Yet the prevailing pattern of food and beverage marketing to children in America represents, at best, a missed opportunity, and at worst, a direct threat to the health prospects of the next generation. Children's dietary and related health patterns are shaped by the interplay of many factorsâ€"their biologic affinities, their culture and values, their economic status, their physical and social environments, and their commercial media environmentsâ€"all of which, apart from their genetic predispositions, have undergone significant transformations during the past three decades. Among these environments, none have more rapidly assumed central socializing roles among children and youth than the media. With the growth in the variety and the penetration of the media have come a parallel growth with their use for marketing, including the marketing of food and beverage products. What impact has food and beverage marketing had on the dietary patterns and health status of American children? The answer to this question has the potential to shape a generation and is the focus of Food Marketing to Children and Youth. This book will be of interest to parents, federal and state government agencies, educators and schools, health care professionals, industry companies, industry trade groups, media, and those involved in community and consumer advocacy.

The purpose of this book is to serve as essential reading for those innovating and marketing food products for children as well as those determined to better understand the children's marketplace in order to ensure that it is administered in a manner consistent with the long-term aspirations of society. The book begins by setting the scene and looking at the way children influence food choices within the family and the role advertising is thought to play in driving those choices. Professor Stratton of The Psychology Business (Department of Psychology, Leeds University) has world renowned expertise in the methodology of researching family dynamics and he shows which are the prime influences on the family diet. J.W. Thompson Advertising Board Director Jane Mathews then evaluates what constitutes effective advertising and reveals enduring themes within the children's marketplace. In Chapter 3, Dr Kathryn O'Sullivan of the Kellogg's company examines the nutritional importance of food under the title 'Starting the day right'. She demonstrates her expertise for introducing young taste buds to products which 'Break the fast'. Simon Lang, Senior Consultant at the Henley Centre follows by examining not only why food tastes change in children but also why family eating is itself changing and the implications for the future.

The development of food and drink products for children and adolescents represents an expanding market sector, which has received little attention in the existing literature. In recognition of increasing concerns regarding diet and nutrition in children and their potential impact on nutrition-related health issues in later life, this book covers three broad aspects relating to developing children's food products – nutrition and health, children's food choices, and the design and testing of food and drink products for children.Part one covers topical issues in pre-adult nutrition and health, such as nutritional requirements, fluid intake needs, diet and behaviour and growing 20th century health problems such as childhood obesity and food allergies. Part two then focuses on children's food choices, addressing food promotion and food choice in children and strategies that can be used to improve children's food choices both inside and outside of the home. Finally, part three considers the design of food and drink products for children, with an emphasis on working with children and adolescents to design food and drink products, and how best to undertake consumer and sensory testing with children.With its team of expert international contributors, Developing children's food products is an essential resource for both academics and food industry professionals, offering particular assistance to product developers working within the competitive children's market. - Covers topical issues in pre-adult nutrition and health, discussing diet and behaviour and growing health problems such as childhood obesity and food allergies - Reviews children's food choices, addressing food promotion and food choice in children and strategies that can be used to improve children's food choices - Considers the design of food and drink products for children, with an emphasis on working with children and how best to undertake testing

This book disseminates current information pertaining to the modulatory effects of foods and other food substances on behavior and neurological pathways and, importantly, vice versa. This ranges from the neuroendocrine control of eating to the effects of life-threatening disease on eating behavior. The importance of this contribution to the scientific literature lies in the fact that food and eating are an essential component of cultural heritage but the effects of perturbations in the food/cognitive axis can be profound. The complex interrelationship between neuropsychological processing, diet, and behavioral outcome is explored within the context of the most contemporary psychobiological research in the area. This comprehensive psychobiology- and pathology-themed text examines the broad spectrum of diet, behavioral, and neuropsychological interactions from normative function to occurrences of severe and enduring psychopathological processes.

Health Sciences & Nutrition