They have been presented in Milan, at the Triennale, Tuesday 24 November the data collected by theMother Observatory. To comment on them, within the event organized by Sfera Publisher (RCS Mediagroup), was Prof.ssa Laura De Gara, President of the Master's Degree Course in Food and Human Nutrition Sciences of theUCBM, in a speech also taken from L'Espresso e Panorama.
Data from the Mothers Observatory presented at the Milan Triennale
25th November 2015 - 83% of mothers believe it is very important to take care of family nutrition, e 95% think they have more than enough information and knowledge of food products. However it is almost 21% of 8-9 year olds are overweight and 9% are obese.
Over 15 thousand mothers interviewed in the questionnaire that allowed to 'photograph' the habits of Italian mothers at the table and, in particular, the attention they pay to their children's food education. "The percentages of obese or overweight adults and children outlined by the Mothers Observatory – commented Prof De Gara - indicate chiaramind that the Italian population, even in regions that once had the Mediterranean diet as a point of reference, no longer has adequate eating habits. Children's results are particularly alarming, due to the repercussions that childhood obesity may have on future health". The strong overweight of the little ones, among other things, does not coincide with the perception of mothers with respect to the food management of their families: “More than 90% of them consider their diet to be fundamentally correct and just under 70% believe they devote more attention to the nutrition of their children than to that of the adults in the family".
Also significant are the indications relating to the perception of behavior at the table: “60% of the interviewees see meals as a pleasant occasion to be together, 83% as a moment of conversation. However, while at the table, 45% of diners watch television, 30% surf the web, 13% use the telephone. Furthermore, 30% of mothers do not believe that the example of parents at the table is important for their children”.
"The semester of EXPO – explained Prof De Gara - increased sensitivity towards proper nutrition, now perceived as a true cultural act". However, the great attention paid to healthy eating still seems to be only theoretical: “Unfortunately, it is often based on incorrect knowledge, impressions or sensations: social communication channels convey too much unfounded or even incorrect information, spreading contradictory messages with alarmist tones. Think, for example, of the recent controversy over the wholesomeness of palm oil and red meat. It also makes you think distrust of the food industries, despite these, especially those of the Italian tradition, guarantee both in terms of nutrition and food safety quality standards undoubtedly higher than the average of artisanal or 'do-it-yourself' products".
A challenge that, in the near future, must first of all be taken up byresearch in the agri-food sector, for "find clearer and more incisive ways to communicate and disseminate simple, clear, reliable information”. Food education also needs to be rethought, studying "content that should be disseminated in innovative ways. Without to forget the role of consumer associations, provided they undertake to always give correct information. Because what the Observatory has certified is how much food remains an essential factor for our society. Even to guarantee the psychological balance of people".
