Food researchers serving up school holiday fun at Scienceworks

The CHEWS project, led by Deakin University's Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) aims to help researchers understand how children think about food, including how they decide what to eat and how much food to put on their plate.

The free and voluntary study is based at Scienceworks until Sunday 6 October and open to children, aged between 5 and 12 years, as well as their parents or caregivers.

Six activity stations have been set up for a fun testing experience including a virtual reality shopping trip to see how food packaging captures attention and influences children's and parents' choices. There will also be questions about portion sizes and parents and caregivers will be asked about their child's eating behaviours.

Lead researcher, Dr Georgie Russell said how children make food choices, including which foods to eat, which foods are healthy and how much food is enough to make them full can have a big impact on what they eat.

'We want to know what children are learning about how and what to eat and what their caregivers are doing too,' Dr Russell said.

Now in its fourth year, the CHEWS project is building our understanding of the way primary school aged children approach food and the role that parents can play in shaping children's eating habits.

'Children, even within the same family, can eat in quite different ways, and we are trying to understand what these are, and how they develop,' Dr Russell said.

'In partnership with Scienceworks, this project will provide new insights into children's eating behaviours that will help children and also help their families raise healthy eaters, no matter whether they tend to naturally love food and eating or whether they are fussier and more selective.'

CEO and Director, Museums Victoria, Lynley Crosswell said Scienceworks uses STEM, play-based learning experiences to engage families and investigate topics that help work towards a healthier and more sustainable future.

'We're delighted to partner with Deakin University in facilitating this study - helping improve child health and wellbeing, through fun, hands on activities,' Ms Crosswell said.

The CHEWS project is being conducted in collaboration with Aston University (UK), RMIT, University of Melbourne and University of Sao Paulo (Brazil).