New research from the Aston University found that bored children, as young as four, consume 79% more calories than when they’re in a neutral mood. The researchers found that if parents reported using food to soothe their child’s emotions often and their child was highly emotional children ate five times more kilocalories when feeling bored (104 kcal) compared to in a neutral mood (21 kcal). The study says that if children are eating so many more calories during one instance of boredom (a four-minute period), given that boredom is so common in children, the potential for excess calorie intake in response to being bored is potentially very significant. Researchers suggest that children should be taught to cope with boredom without turning to food and that parents should find alternative ways to address their child’s boredom.
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