According to Ms. Anzman, Parental attempts to help children with lower self-control by restricting their access to favorite snack foods can make the forbidden foods more attractive, thereby exacerbating the problem.  She suggests that parents can help their children learn to control their eating habits by allowing them to choose between healthy options.  She adds that it is often better to not keep restricted foods in the house.  That way, she explains, it is not necessary to constantly tell children they cannot have the foods they want.

In a related editorial, Nancy F. Krebs, MD, MS, and Susan L. Johnson, PhD, of the University of Colorado point out that it is unclear how these findings might apply to boys because the researchers only studied girls.  Drs. Krebs and Johnson view this as an opportunity for future studies to explore the relationship between low self-control, parental restrictions, and weight gain among a more diverse group of children and families.  According to Dr. Krebs, The implications of this study can be considered in both the clinical and public health arenas.

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