Getting a child to eat right is sometimes a long, difficult task for parents. A University of Illinois study offers better understanding of childhood appetites. In an era of childhood obesity, the study observed this is more complicated than eating less and exercising more. It specifically concerns the ability to self-regulate food intake, including types of food. Authors of the article in the journal Social Science and Medicine suggest a complex combination of biological factors—including sensory experience, psychological hunger and brain-gut interaction. Add to those social factors, such as parental behavior and feeding practices including food insecurity. Their model for healthy self-regulation recognizes these factors and the need to modify them early in childhood.