Authors: Rebeca-Eliza Șovea, Sorina-Iuliana Furnea, Roberta-Doris Graef, Teodora-Gabriela Muscalu, Roxana Maria Martin- Hadmaș ̦
Affiliation
Community Nutrition and Food Safety Department, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
Abstract
Background. Over the past few years, the field of pediatric nutrition has made great progress, with increasing emphasis on the role of home environment and social media in the development of children and adolescents.
Aims. The study aims to examine the extent to which exposure to social media and family meal dynamics influence the eating habits of children and young adults.Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2024 and March 2025, on a sample of 195 children aged between 3 and 18 years. Data collection focused on caloric intake and environmental influences.
Results. The outcomes suggest that children are strongly influenced by both social media and a family environment, while the reported caloric intake scored lower than recommended nutrient requirements.
Conclusions. Children who consume meals alongside at least one family member tend to have healthier eating habits and a higher food intake. The longer children are in front of screens, the worse their diet becomes, as they tend to consume unhealthy snacks during that time.
Keywords: pediatric nutrition, family, children, media consumption, dietary behavior.
Family and media influences on children’s eating behavior (Note I)
