(photo by Dawn, courtesy of morguefile.com)

Raising children on diet foods from an early age can make them more prone to becoming obese, according to a new study from the University of Alberta.

Researchers believe that the introduction of diet foods at an early age distorts a process termed, “taste conditioning". It’s through that process that children’s bodies learn to connect the taste of foods and drinks with whether they are high or low in calories. The new study could help to explain the results of a study at the University of Massachusetts where researchers found that drinking diet soda in childhood was linked to higher risk of obesity and heart disease.

The new study is the work of sociologist Dr. David Pierce and colleagues from the University of Alberta. It will be published in the journal Obesity.

"Based on what we've learned, it is better for children to eat healthy, well-balanced diets with sufficient calories for their daily activities rather than low-calorie snacks or meals," said Dr. Pierce.

To read an article in Medical News Today on the new study cited above go to: Children Raised On Diet Foods Can Turn Into Obese Adults

To gather more info on the topic from the journal Obesity go to: The Obesity Society

To view a previous post on the health risks associated with diet soft drinks go to: Diet Soft Drinks May Increase Risk of Heart Disease