Day 065 - 09 Dec 94 - Page 08

     
     1        persuade somebody to try something for the first time, if
     2        they do not like it they will not try it again, as a
     3        general rule of human behaviour?
     4        A.  Yes.
     5
     6   Q.   Yes, or if they think it is poor value for money?
     7        A.  That may be the case.
     8
     9   Q.   We will read on:  "Mothers whose children were fussy eaters
    10        felt that their influence was particularly strong", that
    11        is, I suppose, the child's influence:  "In these cases,
    12        they let the child decide rather than buying something that
    13        the child would not eat:  'Mine has a big influence because
    14        I find if he will not eat what he wants, he will not eat
    15        anything at all.  So nine times out of ten I let him eat
    16        what he wants to eat'."  Another quote: "'Mine has quite a
    17        bit of influence because I have got a fussy eater, so
    18        I tend to pick things I know she will like'."
    19
    20        So, to what extent, Ms. Dibb, do you suppose advertising
         has any influence to bear upon the feeding of children who
    22        are fussy eaters?
    23        A.  I think it may have quite a significant role in what is
    24        often called "fussy eaters".  You must remember that "fussy
    25        eaters" is not a medical term.
    26
    27   Q.   No.  I, as a parent -- perhaps other people in this court
    28         -- would accept that proposition, I think.  Sorry, you
    29        wanted to finish?
    30        A.  Yes.
    31
    32   Q.   Please go on?
    33
    34   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  You said:  "I think it may have quite a
    35        significant role in what is often called 'fussy eaters.'
    36        You must remember that 'fussy eaters' is not a medical
    37        term"?
    38        A.  Yes.  I think there is a difference here between
    39        children who may have serious eating problems and what may
    40        be termed "fussy eaters".  I think it is generally
         understood to mean "fussy eaters" is that children are
    42        rather picky about things, turn their nose up at things,
    43        particular foods.
    44
    45        What one has to look at is how that situation may have come
    46        about.  It may have come about for a number of reasons.  It
    47        may have come about because of to some extent certain
    48        influences.  If, for example, a mother is trying to
    49        encourage a child to eat certain kinds of foods, and may
    50        not be so keen on them eating other kinds of foods, if it 
    51        is the kinds of foods that are being very highly advertised 
    52        to children that the mother may wish to limit the 
    53        consumption of, it may end with a situation in which the
    54        mother may consider that her child is being a fussy eater
    55        because they are not wanting to eat certain kinds of foods
    56        and show a preference for other kinds of foods.  Again, the
    57        situation is complex.
    58
    59        I do consider that advertising may play some role in this.
    60