The Grandparent Factor, How Older Generations Are Shaping Childhood Diet & Nutrition in Singapore and Beyond
- Alastair Hunt
- Mar 30
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 31
As the role of grandparents in childcare grows, especially in early childhood, so does their influence over what and how young children eat. From providing daily meals to passing on cultural food traditions, grandparents have become key figures in the formation of children’s dietary habits. But are these habits helping or harming child health - particularly in countries grappling with rising childhood obesity?
A series of recent studies, including one conducted in Singapore, offers new insights into this question. Together, these studies explore how grandparents across different cultures and contexts shape young children's diets, revealing a mix of well-meaning intentions, outdated knowledge and family dynamics that complicate the picture.
As ever, please talk to your doctor or medical practitioner most familiar with your medical history before implementing any changes in diet, exercise or lifestyle, especially if you are under treatment. Links to all studies at bottom of page.
Grandparents in Singapore: Committed, Caring and Influential
Singaporean grandparents are deeply involved in their grandchildren’s daily routines. In a large mixed-methods study by Tan et al. (2019), 396 grandparents were surveyed and 11 interviewed to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices around feeding. 35% were identified as primary caregivers- those who spend the most time with their grandchildren and take on the majority of caregiving tasks, including meal preparation.
These grandparents demonstrated fair nutritional knowledge, correctly answering a median of 5 out of 8 questions. While most recognised that childhood obesity could lead to future health problems (91%), many still held common misconceptions. Over half believed that children should always finish their food, and 54% agreed that it was acceptable to let children eat whatever they liked as long as they were growing well. These beliefs suggest that while awareness of long-term health risks exists, understanding of day-to-day feeding best practices is still evolving.
Singaporean primary caregiver grandparents, especially women and those under 70, were more likely to set limits on unhealthy food and to offer a wide variety of food choices. In fact, nearly 77% of all grandparents said they selected a diverse range of foods for their grandchildren "sometimes or all the time." However, indulgence remains common: nearly half of respondents said they "rarely or never" set a maximum limit on unhealthy foods, especially among non-primary caregivers.
Cultural Attitudes and Feeding Challenges
The study highlighted several factors that shape Singaporean grandparents’ feeding decisions. Grandchildren’s preferences were a key consideration, cited by 58% of respondents - slightly more than those who prioritised health-based decisions (60%). This finding reflects a familiar tension: the desire to please children versus the responsibility to guide them nutritionally.
Grandparents also reported challenges during mealtimes, including children saying they were full (50%), refusing to be fed (40%), or rejecting the food offered (39%). Despite these obstacles, many grandparents still required shared meals - over 75% encouraged eating together as a family at least sometimes. Yet, 47% allowed screen use during meals, a practice linked with distracted eating and overconsumption.
Cultural context played a significant role. For instance, Chinese grandparents were more likely to restrict unhealthy food than their Malay or Indian counterparts, though Malay grandparents were more likely to see themselves as playing a crucial feeding role. These ethnic variations may reflect broader social norms around food and health, and underline the need for culturally sensitive education campaigns.
Knowledge Isn’t Always Enough
One striking insight from the Singapore study is the gap between knowledge and action. While many grandparents knew about healthy practices, this didn’t always translate into behaviour. For example, those with higher nutrition scores were more likely to offer varied diets and to set limits on unhealthy food - but they weren’t necessarily more likely to forbid such foods altogether. This points to the influence of social roles, habits and family relationships on feeding behaviour.
Some grandparents may struggle to reconcile their roles as caregivers and indulgent figures. Previous research, including studies from Australia and the UK, describes how grandparents often see food as a means of expressing love or maintaining closeness with their grandchildren. Singaporean grandparents echoed these sentiments. Many cited their own upbringing and family traditions as influences on how they fed the next generation, even if those traditions didn’t always align with modern health advice.
Interestingly, education level didn’t consistently predict better feeding practices in Singapore. While less-educated grandparents scored lower on nutrition knowledge, there was no significant difference in behaviours like cooking healthy meals or setting food limits. This suggests that other factors - such as attitudes, time spent with grandchildren and access to reliable health information - play a more decisive role.
Learning Goes Both Ways
While grandparents were often teachers - educating children about which foods were “good” or “bad” - they were also learners. Some participants described how grandchildren brought home ideas from school about healthy eating, prompting changes at home. Others used government health campaigns and online resources to update their understanding. Personal experience (85%), media (56%), and Ministry of Health materials (37%) were cited as key sources of influence.
These findings suggest a promising avenue for public health messaging. If Singaporean grandparents are open to learning, especially through trusted sources, then targeted education - perhaps via TV, radio, cooking classes or grassroots initiatives - could help bridge the knowledge-practice gap.
A Global Snapshot: How Singapore Compares
The findings from Singapore echo themes observed elsewhere. In a UK review of 20 studies, grandparents were found to use both healthy and coercive feeding practices - ranging from creating structured mealtimes to using food as a reward. Many also showed indulgent feeding styles, where children’s preferences overrode nutritional needs.
In the United States, adolescents in multi-generational homes reported higher consumption of sweets, fast food and soft drinks, as well as greater food insecurity. Snacking in front of screens was more common, and BMI scores were higher than in parent-only households. Although this study focused on older children, it highlights how caregiver structure - including the presence of grandparents - can shape long-term eating habits.
A qualitative study from the US further explored how race, culture and proximity influenced grandparental feeding. Hispanic grandparents, for example, felt empowered to make healthy changes, especially when living with grandchildren. Black grandparents were more likely to report breaking with unhealthy traditional food habits, while some White grandparents described being sidelined by their grandchildren’s preferences. These variations mirror some of the intergenerational dynamics seen in Singaporean households, where primary caregivers had more influence, and younger or female grandparents were more engaged in structured feeding.
A Chinese Perspective
A 2015 Chinese study by Bai Li et al. found that grandparents significantly contribute to childhood obesity. Their influence stems from outdated beliefs - such as viewing fat children as healthy and well-cared for - and a lack of awareness about the long-term health risks of obesity. Grandparents commonly overfeed children, provide unhealthy snacks and exempt them from physical activity, all driven by affection and past experiences of deprivation.
Quantitative findings confirmed that children mainly cared for by grandparents were twice as likely to be overweight or obese, and consumed more sugary snacks and drinks than those cared for by parents. The study also found that households with two or more live-in grandparents further increased this risk. Efforts by parents and schools to promote healthy behaviours were often undermined by well-meaning but misinformed grandparents.
Taking Action
Parents... Acknowledge the care and time grandparents give. Rather than focusing on what’s “wrong,” share why healthy eating matters in early childhood - how it affects growth and future health risks. Framing this as a shared goal, not a correction, can make a big difference.
Suggest ideas like “healthy spoiling” - treats that are still special but nutritious, like fruit salads or home-cooked favourites. Invite grandparents to be part of meal planning or food activities, and celebrate any healthy changes they make.
Grandparents... Your influence is powerful - and positive change doesn’t mean giving up your role. Children remember meals, tradition and how food made them feel. By choosing healthy options, you’re not just nourishing their bodies - you are shaping their habits for life and this is more important than ever before.
Final Thoughts
Grandparents in Singapore and around the world are playing a bigger role than ever in shaping children’s diets - and not just through what they serve on the plate. They are cultural transmitters, emotional anchors, and in many cases, daily caregivers. While many show strong awareness of nutrition, outdated beliefs, indulgent habits and family tensions can dilute their positive impact.
Singapore’s experience suggests that grandparents are willing partners in promoting healthy eating - but they need better tools, clearer guidance and support that respects their role. With targeted education and a deeper understanding of cultural and family dynamics, grandparents could become powerful allies in the fight against childhood obesity. And children's overall lifestyle and habits matter, as was found in this recent study on Singapore children and their health.
For most people - parents and grandparents especially - improving health is about finding motivation and prioritising self-care with an ultimate goal of taking action. If you want to take effective and targeted steps that fit into your unique lifestyle, The Whole Health Practice is here to help.
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Stay Healthy,
Alastair
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Related Resources and Studies
Singapore Parent Hub via HeathHubSG
Jongenelis MI, Budden T. The Influence of Grandparents on Children's Dietary Health: A Narrative Review. Curr Nutr Rep. 2023 Sep;12(3):395-406. doi: 10.1007/s13668-023-00483-y. Epub 2023 Jun 17. PMID: 37329476; PMCID: PMC10444634.
Mathews R, Nadorff D. Too Many Treats or Not Enough to Eat? The Impact of Caregiving Grandparents on Child Food Security and Nutrition. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 10;19(10):5796. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19105796. PMID: 35627334; PMCID: PMC9141154.
Marr C, Reale S, Breeze P, Caton SJ. Grandparental dietary provision, feeding practices and feeding styles when caring for preschool-aged grandchildren: A systematic mixed methods review. Obesity Reviews. 2021; 22:e13157. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13157
Tan BQM, Hee JM, Yow KS, Sim X, Asano M, Chong MF. Feeding-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Grandparents in Singapore. Nutrients. 2019 Jul 23;11(7):1696. doi: 10.3390/nu11071696. PMID: 31340578; PMCID: PMC6683024.
Criss S, Horhota M, Wiles K, Norton J, St Hilaire KJ, Short MA, Blomquist KK. Food cultures and aging: a qualitative study of grandparents' food perceptions and influence of food choice on younger generations. Public Health Nutr. 2020 Feb;23(2):221-230. doi: 10.1017/S1368980019002489. Epub 2019 Sep 30. PMID: 31566158; PMCID: PMC10200626.
Li, B., Adab, P. & Cheng, K.K. The role of grandparents in childhood obesity in China - evidence from a mixed methods study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 12, 91 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0251-z
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