A recent analysis using data from a longitudinal study that tracked children from ages 5 to 17 has uncovered a surprising connection: kids who exhibited kind, caring, and helpful behaviors (prosocial actions) were more likely to maintain healthy eating habits as teenagers.
The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, utilized data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a comprehensive study that monitored children born in the United Kingdom over a span of 20 years. Parents reported on their child’s engagement in helpful behaviors that demonstrated kindness, care, and cooperation at ages 5, 7, and 11. Researchers then examined whether the frequency of these behaviors correlated with the child’s self-reported consumption of fruits and vegetables during adolescence at ages 14 and 17.
Lead investigator, Farah Qureshi, ScD, MHS, from the Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, emphasized the importance of highlighting positive aspects of youth development. She stated, “Too often, we focus on what is going wrong in young people’s lives, but what we hear from them time and time again is that they are tired of that narrative. They want us adults to pay more attention to what is going right, including what they bring to their families and communities.”
Senior author Julia K. Boehm, Ph.D., from the Department of Psychology at Chapman University, highlighted the potential health benefits of prosocial behaviors, such as consideration for others’ feelings, sharing, helping those in need, and volunteering. These actions can enhance social connections, improve psychological well-being, and contribute to better decision-making related to health choices.
The study’s findings suggest that promoting prosocial behaviors in children can serve as a health asset and have a positive impact on their long-term health outcomes. Co-author Laura D. Kubzansky, Ph.D., MPH, from the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, noted that fostering prosociality in childhood could lead to innovative health promotion strategies that leverage the inherent strengths of youth.
In conclusion, Dr. Qureshi emphasized the significance of cultivating compassion and kindness in children as a novel approach to promoting public health. The study underscores the value of empathy and altruism in shaping healthy behaviors and fostering positive social interactions among youth.
For more information, the study titled “Kind Kids, Healthy Teens: Child Prosociality and Fruit and Vegetable Intake” can be accessed in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. This research sheds light on the potential benefits of nurturing prosocial behaviors in children for promoting healthier eating habits and overall well-being.
