Children are just as likely to choose a small toy as candy when offered both on Halloween, according to a Yale study.
Given the choice between treats such as lollipops, fruit-flavored chewy candies, fruit-flavored crunchy wafers, and sweet and tart hard candies, or toys such as stretch pumpkin men, large glow-in-the-dark insects, Halloween theme stickers and pencils, half the children chose the toys.
"This finding may reassure adults that children will not be disappointed by non-candy treats," says Marlene Schwartz, associate research scientist in the Department of Psychology and principal investigator of the study published in a recent issue of the Journal of Nutrition, Education and Behavior. "The purpose of this study was to show that children will respond favorably to these efforts to provide an alternative to candy."
The study conducted on Halloween last year included 284 children between 3 and 14 years old who trick-or-treated at seven homes in five different Connecticut towns. Some of the children were accompanied by adults and others were alone. The toys and candy were chosen to maximize comparability in size, color and cost. When the children arrived at the houses, they were shown one plate with four types of toys and another plate with four types of candy. Half the children chose toys and half chose candy.
Schwartz acknowledges some people might argue that Halloween comes only once a year, so it's not necessary to worry about unhealthful food choices for one night. But, she points out that children are offered candy frequently -- at holidays, birthday parties and other social events.
"As a society we have gotten into the mindset that the only way to celebrate special occasions with children is with something sweet," she says.
"We need to work together as a society to increase children's exposure to healthy foods and limit exposure to unhealthy foods," Schwartz says. "We are sending a mixed message by telling children they need to eat one way and then feeding them in another."
Kelly Brownell, director of the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders and senior author of the study says anything that can steer children away from unhealthy food is a positive development. "Poor diet is taking its toll on the health and happiness of America's children," he adds.
-- By Jacqueline Weaver
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