F2F Class Notes (Nemo) [R]

Everyone knows that many young children don’t like eating their greens. Parents have a hard time getting their children to eat vegetables like broccoli and Brussel sprouts. A new study may have an answer about why this is. The study looked at the eating habits of two- to four-year-olds. It found that not liking greens is because of a child’s genes. This means parents do not have to stress out over their children not eating enough vegetables. Many parents worry because they cannot get their children to eat healthily. The study found that changes in two genes can make children dislike greens. The changes put some youngsters off trying new food and can turn them into fussy eaters.

The study found that changes in DNA can affect how some small children taste things differently. These children think many green vegetables taste very bitter. Children without the DNA changes do not think these vegetables are bitter. Natasha Cole, a member of an obesity prevention program at Illinois University, said it was not surprising some children have very a sensitive taste. She said this makes them think things like broccoli are bitter. She said the new research could help to find new ways of tackling childhood obesity. Ms Cole says there needs to be more research. She said: “There is a huge gap in the research when children [move] from a milk-based diet to foods that the rest of the family eats.”

Vocabulary

broccoli-西兰花
brussel sprouts-抱子甘蓝

gene (n): 1-a part of the DNA in a cell that controls the physical development, behaviour, etc. of an individual plant or animal and is passed on from its parents:
E.g.: The illness is believed to be caused by a defective gene.

stress sb out (v): 1-to make someone feel very nervous and worried:
E.g.: Interviews always stress me out.

youngster (n): 1-a young person, usually an older child:
E.g.: The school is for youngsters between the ages of ten and 16.

fussy (adj): 1-not easily satisfied, or having very high standards about particular things:
E.g.: All my children were fussy eaters.
E.g.: He’s so fussy about the house – everything has to be absolutely perfect.

obesity (n): 1-the fact of being extremely fat, in a way that is dangerous for health:
E.g.: A diet that is high in fat and sugar can lead to obesity.

prevention (n): 1-the act of stopping something from happening or of stopping someone from doing something:
E.g.: crime prevention
E.g.: The organization is committed to AIDS prevention and education.

prevent (v): 1-to stop something from happening or someone from doing something:
E.g.: Label your suitcases to prevent confusion.

tackle (v): 1-to try to deal with something or someone:
E.g.: There are many ways of tackling this problem.
E.g.: I tackled him about his careless work.