-- some of which are on children's cereal boxes.
A recent study by Yale researchers from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found that parents often misinterpret health claims on children's cereals, assuming they are more nutritious than they actually are.
Researchers surveyed parents with children between ages 2 and 11, asking them to view pictures of common children's cereals and say whether the health-related buzzwords on the boxes might influence them to buy the products. While the cereals were of below-average nutritional quality, the boxes featured various nutrition-related health claims including "whole grain," "fiber" and "calcium and Vitamin D."
Approximately one-quarter of parents believed that the "whole grain" claim on Lucky Charms® and "calcium and Vitamin D" claim on Cinnamon Toast Crunch® meant these cereals were healthier than other children's cereals.
