In a study of pre-schoolers, meals paired with collectible toys were perceived by the children as likeable and good tasting. The study found that children aged 2 to 5 can be influenced to prefer a healthy food choice — in this case a meal of soup, mixed vegetables and milk — when a toy is seen as one that is missing from their collectible set. In addition, 73 percent of the participating parents reported that they would be OK with such an approach, whereas, 92 percent were strongly against the use of collectible toys with traditional, less-healthy fast-food meals. Click here to read more.
Source: Press release, University of Oregon, 19 Sep 2011
