I said - "...there are some foods that should only be eaten in moderation, and occasionally. Learning that is vital - and in my opinion, it would help combat obesity."
@GrandmasterGlitchBitch - "People know that. They know what they should and shouldn't be eating. So why aren't they doing it? It isn't lack of knowledge."
@GrandmasterGlitchBitch - I agree, it is not lack of knowledge - it is to do with learned habits - so my point is that children need to learn what makes up a balanced diet, and how you can include foods such as the odd biscuit or chocolate - and children don't learn that when parents are too restrictive about such foods.
When a food group is completely banned, there is the risk of it becoming far more attractive than if it is a normal part of a balanced diet - and when children get older, and have both money in their pockets and easier access to the shops, they can binge on the things that they weren't allowed when they were younger.
I am a living case-in-point - my parents were very restrictive about food, and especially about things like sweets, and when I was at Sixth Form and had a Saturday job, and even more when I left home and was working as a student nurse, I ate far too much of everything, especially the sweet/treat stuff, and piled on the weight.
Of course I am not saying that a preschooler has the knowledge or experience to decide their own diet - but they will be picking up their parents' attitude towards food, so if the parents have a sensible, balanced attitude, the children will learn that - and as they get older, they can be given more responsibility.
One thing that I wish had been a 'thing' when I was at school - or even when the dses were - is the 'daily mile' that some schools do now - it started at a Scottish school. Every day, rain or shine, the children run or walk for half an hour - they don't all do a mile, but I guess that's the average - and in the school that started it, after a year, they had no children who were obese - which is amazing. It is so easy to do - they don't do it in PE gear, just normal uniform and shoes, and coats if necessary. Every school should do it.