The other problem with classroom-based efforts to change eating habits was that children don't decide what's for dinner. Mead and her team soon realized they had to get to the person they called the "gatekeeper"-Mom.
In "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal," Mary Roach discusses the challenges of changing children's eating habits through classroom initiatives. A significant issue identified by Roach and her team is that children do not have the autonomy to make dinner choices; these decisions are usually made by their parents. To effectively influence children's diets, the authors realized it was crucial to target the "gatekeeper," typically the mother. By engaging with the parent responsible for meal planning and preparation, efforts to encourage healthier eating habits could be more successful and impactful. The focus shifted from just educating children to also involving their caregivers in the process.
