FOOD AND CHILDREN, STUDY UCBM IN "SCIENTIFIC REPORT": THE NUTRIPIATTO MODEL IMPROVES NUTRITION BETWEEN 6 AND 10 YEAR-OLDS. LESS MEAT, MORE CEREALS, FRUIT, AND VEGETABLES THANKS TO THE GUIDE PLATE FROM NUTRITION EXPERTS.

The analysis of the researchers of the Department of Sciences and Bio-Technologies for food, nutrition and health of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma on approximately 800 children aged 6 to 10 in three Italian regions. Water consumption is also increasing, and sedentary lifestyles are decreasing.

Rome, February 3, 2026 - A group of researchers from the Department of Science and Biotechnology of the Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome(UCBM), has just published on Scientific Reports a comparative analysis that highlights the effectiveness of using Nutridish,  A simple and intuitive nutrition education tool developed by Nestlé under the scientific supervision of SIPPS (Italian Society of Preventive and Social Pediatrics) and the Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, to involve children aged four to twelve in preparing their meals, promoting greater awareness of portion sizes, and encouraging more balanced eating habits from an early age. 

 
The study   

Nutridish, an educational tool based on the Mediterranean diet that combines a colorful plate and recipe guide, has been evaluated on a national scale in approximately 800 children aged between 6 and 10 years, involving three Italian regions: Piemonte, Lazio and Sicily. Participants were divided into two age groups: A (6-7 years) and B (9-10 years), and their eating habits were assessed at baseline (T0) and after 2 months (T1). Between the two periods, the children used Nutripiatto at home and participated in age-appropriate nutrition education sessions, supported by the use of teaching guides for preparing main meals. 

In both groups (A and B) and in all three regions, dinner is the meal "always" consumed at home, with the highest percentages in Sicilia (96% and 95% for groups A and B, respectively), followed by Lazio (91% and 88%) and Piemonte (90% and 89%), with minimal differences between the latter two regions. Breakfast is consumed more frequently with the family in Piemonte (58% and 60%) compared to Lazio (57% and 38%) and Sicilia (55% and 53%). Lunch is the least frequently consumed meal at home in Lazio e Piemonte, where many children eat lunch at the school canteen, while in Sicily the majority (80%) always do so at home. 

Regarding physical activity, most children practice sports in all regions. In Group A, the Piemonte records the highest percentage of children who play sports (81%), followed by Sicily (77%), while the Lazio has the lowest value (61%). In Group B, the Lazio guide with 86% of children involved in sports, followed by Piemonte (84%), with the Sicilia fanalino tail (75%). 

The results  

After two months of use, children showed a better understanding of the appropriate quantities of foods and the correct frequencies of consumption, also appreciating the effectiveness of  Nutridish as a visual guide.   

Although this is a time-limited analysis and is based on caregivers' observations, Nutridish It proved equally effective across all three regions, as parents and caregivers reported improvements in children's lifestyles (increasing trends in the consumption of whole grains, vegetables, and water, and decreasing trends in protein portions and sedentary behavior).  

In Group A, the whole grain consumption has increased in 61% of children in Piemonte, 25% in Lazio and 21% in Sicily, while in Group B the percentages were 56% in Piemonte, 55% in Lazio and 33% in Sicilia.  

A further observation was made reduction of meat and fish portions: in Group A, 52% in Piemonte, 30% in Sicilia and 25% in Lazio; in Group B, 63% in Lazio, 49% in Piemonte and 46% in Sicilia. 

even the vegetable consumption has increased significantly: A has increased intake 83% of children in Piemonte, 61% in Lazio and 60% in Sicilia; in Group B, 81% in Piemonte, 79% in Lazio and 59% in Sicilia.  

Most children have water consumption also increased: 86% in Piemonte, 75% in Sicilia and 57% in Lazio in Group A; 77% in Sicilia, 76% in Piemonte and 71% in Lazio in Group B. 

Finally, after using Nutridish, a was observed reduction of sedentary behaviors in the majority of children. In Group A, the reduction affected 80% of children in Piemonte, 66% in Sicilia and 61% in the Lazio; in Group B, 73% in Lazio and 66% is in Piemonte both in Sicily.  

This preliminary analysis highlights how nutrition education can be effective when it speaks the language of children. Through a visual and concrete approach, the model Nutridish helps understand portion sizes, consumption frequencies, and the importance of key foods like fruits, vegetables, and water.”  comments Manon Khazrai, Associate Professor of Dietetic Sciences and Techniques at theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and concludes: “The results encourage the development of future studies on a larger scale to consolidate their impact.". 

“From a nutritional point of view, Nutridish It represents an effective tool for translating guidelines into daily behaviors. Actively working on portions, variety, and frequency of consumption allows children to build more balanced meals naturally and with greater awareness. This practical approach promotes real and sustainable changes in eating habits. Adds Chiara Spiezia, nutritionist of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma. 

What Nutridish 

It's a simple and intuitive food education tool designed to involve children aged four to twelve in preparing their meals, teaching them how to measure food portions from a young age. Developed by Nestlé with the scientific supervision of SIPPS (Italian Society of Preventive and Social Pediatrics) and theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di RomaThe Nutripiatto is a life-sized plate that shows the proportions of the various food groups that make up the main meals—lunch and dinner—and visually represents how the various food groups should be divided at each meal: vegetables and greens should make up half of the plate, while grains and proteins should make up a quarter of the plate. Updated and implemented over time, the Nutripiatto required a great deal of creativity to translate complex scientific content into simple, accessible language that would speak to children and provide concrete support for parents.