A new study looked at how children judge whether packaged foods are actually good for them based on what the package looks like. Researchers found that kids with more impulsive personalities are especially fooled by fancy packaging and health claims on the box. The study suggests that colorful labels, pictures of fruits, and words like “natural” can make children think unhealthy snacks are nutritious—even when they’re not. This matters because kids make food choices based on what they see on packages, and understanding these tricks could help parents and companies make better choices for children’s health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether kids think packaged foods are healthy based on how the package looks, and whether some kids are more easily fooled than others
  • Who participated: Children of unspecified age and number, evaluated for their natural tendency to act without thinking (impulsivity)
  • Key finding: Kids with more impulsive personalities were more likely to think unhealthy packaged foods were good for them when the package had appealing designs or health-related words and images
  • What it means for you: Parents should help kids learn to read actual nutrition labels instead of just looking at package pictures. Kids who are naturally more impulsive may need extra guidance when choosing snacks at the store

The Research Details

Researchers showed children different packaged foods and asked them what they thought about how healthy each food was. The packages had different designs—some with bright colors and fruit pictures, others more plain. The researchers also measured each child’s natural impulsivity (how quickly they act without thinking things through). This allowed them to see if kids who are naturally more impulsive were more influenced by fancy packaging compared to kids who think before they act.

Understanding how packaging influences children’s food choices is important because kids often pick what they eat based on what looks good on the box rather than what’s actually inside. If we know which kids are most vulnerable to these tricks, parents and schools can teach them better decision-making skills.

The study was published in Appetite, a respected nutrition science journal. However, the specific number of children studied and their ages were not provided in the available information, which makes it harder to know how widely these findings apply to all children

What the Results Show

The research shows that packaging design significantly affects how healthy children think a food is. Kids were more likely to believe a packaged food was nutritious when the package included images of fruits or vegetables, used words like “natural” or “healthy,” or had bright, appealing colors. Importantly, children with more impulsive personalities—those who tend to make quick decisions without thinking carefully—were especially influenced by these packaging tricks. They were more likely to think unhealthy foods were good for them based solely on what the package looked like.

The study also suggests that children with less impulsive personalities were somewhat better at recognizing when packages were misleading, though all children showed some influence from packaging design. This indicates that while personality matters, packaging design affects all kids to some degree.

Previous research has shown that adults are also fooled by food packaging, but this study adds important information by showing that children—who are still learning about nutrition—may be even more vulnerable. The finding about impulsivity is new and suggests that personality traits play a bigger role in food choices than previously thought.

The study did not provide information about how many children participated or their specific ages, making it unclear whether these findings apply to all children or just certain age groups. The research also doesn’t tell us whether children’s choices would be the same in a real store versus looking at packages in a study setting. Additionally, we don’t know if these effects last over time or if they change as children get older

The Bottom Line

Parents should teach children to look at nutrition labels (the detailed information on the back of packages) rather than relying on front-of-package claims and pictures. This is especially important for children who tend to be impulsive. Schools could also include lessons on reading nutrition labels and understanding food marketing. Confidence level: Moderate—this is based on one study, though it aligns with what we know about how marketing affects food choices

Parents of children of all ages should pay attention to this research, especially if their child tends to be impulsive or makes quick decisions without thinking. Teachers and school nutrition programs should also consider these findings. Food companies should use this information to make packaging more honest rather than more misleading

Teaching children to read labels and resist packaging tricks is a long-term process. You might see small improvements in food choices within a few weeks of starting to teach these skills, but building good habits typically takes several months of consistent practice

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track how many times per week your child chooses a snack based on reading the nutrition label versus choosing based on package appearance. Set a goal to increase label-reading choices by 20% each week
  • Use the app to create a simple game where you and your child compare two similar packaged foods side-by-side. Look at the nutrition label together (not the front of the package) and predict which one is healthier before checking. Award points for correct predictions to build label-reading skills
  • Weekly check-ins where you photograph the nutrition labels of snacks your child chooses, then review them together in the app. Track improvements in understanding serving sizes, sugar content, and ingredient lists over a month-long period

This research describes how packaging influences children’s perceptions of food healthiness and does not constitute medical advice. Individual children may respond differently based on age, development, and personality. Parents should consult with pediatricians or registered dietitians for personalized nutrition guidance for their children. The findings are based on a single study and should be considered alongside other nutrition research and expert recommendations