The greatest determinant of what children (and partners) eat is simply what is in the house to eat, to make for lunches or what they are given money to buy. For children without the money and the transport to access their own food, the parent with the purse strings has almost total control over how healthy, or fattening, the family’s diet will be. For example, kids will simply drink less sugared soft-drinks if there are none in the house – easy. (We don’t want them to feel deprived, because this will drive them to over-indulge when they can, so we will let them have them once or twice a week when we are out and about.)

Remember, once fattening foods have made their way into our fridge or pantry they will make their way into us. The Ruler of Family Food Land holds the life and death of their subjects in their hands. But, you say, as an adult they can choose to eat more healthily if they choose. If only. I can tell you from working with so many obese folk, that their adult eating patterns were shaped in their formative years – that’s why they’re called formative years.

In a survey run by Dr Brian Wansink, it was estimated that 72% of the food decisions in the family (children and partners) were ‘controlled’ by one parent or caregiver – what I think of as the Ruler of Family Food Land. This is enormous power. Use it to limit the more fattening foods and increase the availability and variety of fresh, healthy foods. Ultimately, it may be about how long your children live. Wield the power carefully.