When it comes to child obesity and government plans, you don’t have to search too far on the internet to find the various papers and reports.
At WSS we recognise this and try to contribute to tackling child obesity by helping the food industry make healthier options more appealing, acceptable, and commercially viable, which is crucial for changing real-world eating habits at scale.
So, how might we be able to do this?
Well, step this way…
Improving the appeal of healthier foods
One of the biggest barriers in child nutrition is that healthier options are often seen as less tasty.
At WSS we conduct taste testing and sensory research, helping brands adjust flavour, texture, and appearance so healthier foods are more appealing to children.
This can encourage kids to choose:
· lower-sugar cereals
· healthier snacks
· reformulated drinks
Supporting product reformulation (less sugar, fat, salt)
WSS helps brands understand how ingredient changes affect consumer perception.
This is key for:
· reducing sugar or fat without kids noticing
· maintaining taste while improving nutritional value
This kind of “silent reformulation” is widely considered one of the most effective strategies in reducing obesity at scale.
Testing with children directly
We offer children’s testing and focus groups, meaning products can be evaluated specifically with younger audiences.
This helps brands:
· understand what children actually like
· design healthier products that still compete with junk food
Influencing packaging and marketing
We also research packaging design and messaging.
This can be used to:
· make healthy foods more visually appealing to kids
· communicate benefits clearly to parents
· nudge better choices at the point of purchase
Driving evidence-based decisions for brands
Their research provides data-backed insights that companies can use to justify launching healthier products.
This matters because:
· brands are more likely to invest in healthier options if they know consumers (including kids) will accept them
· retailers are more likely to stock them
Ultimately, we can all play a small part in tackling child obesity by helping make healthier choices easier and more normal in everyday life – whether that’s choosing balanced meals, limiting sugary snacks, encouraging regular physical activity, or setting a positive example for children.
If you have a question about anything we have raised in this article, or would simply like some more information, then get in touch with a member of our team today, we’d love to hear from you.
