Parents use food as bribery and reward in exchange for good behaviour

Food is being used as a form of bribery and reward by parents who are stocking up on their children’s eating disorders for later in later life.

According to findings by MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, 67 per cent of 1,191 parents with children aged between 2 and 6 years of age admitted to rewarding their children this way.

An 88 per cent of these people said they used food to reward good behaviour, with 41 per cent using sweets and chocolates.

A 53 per cent also admitted to using food as bribery, with 78 per cent doing so when they wanted their children to behave.

Chairman of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, Mark Pearson said: “When children have done something good, whether it is simply behaving well or doing well at school, it is always the natural instinct to reward them.  Whilst some may frown upon rewarding children with food, especially sugary treats,  it is down to each individual parent how they decide to reward their children.  As long as the sugary treats are in moderation- I can’t see it doing any harm.”