In June 2025, we launched our first focus survey – on foods for young children!

Most of GenV happens in the background. We check in with families 2-4 times a year, usually via quick surveys. This information from parents is particularly special because you know your family best and we often can’t get this information without your help.

This is a separate survey from our regular surveys. It focuses on parent’s experiences of foods for young children.

We spoke with Dr Sherly Li, paediatric dietitian and GenV Research Fellow, who is leading this work.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT GENV?

As a paediatric dietitian, I have worked in hospitals with patients, and in Government to promote healthy eating at a population level. Families often tell me that it’s hard to know what’s healthy when selecting foods for their children and that supermarkets can be confusing. I’m now working as a GenV research fellow. My work aims to help understand what young children are eating, how this relates to health and disease and how we can tackle barriers in the food environment to make it easier to choose healthier food. This includes things like what’s available in supermarkets, childcare and schools, and how food is marketed. My goal is to shape a food environment that gives children a healthier start to life.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE CHILD FOOD SURVEY – WHAT IS IT AND HOW DO PARTICIPANTS TAKE PART IN THIS?

There are more and more convenient store-bought foods for babies and young children these days. This includes snacks and meals such as pouches, puffs, and other packaged options.  We want to learn more about if and how families are using these products. This is only possible by hearing from families themselves.

This information is important because it can help us know how these products should be made and sold in the future. Your voice matters. It may also influence future policies and create a healthier food environment for children.

For a limited time, we have a quick and easy survey for GenV families. Families with a child born between October 2021 and October 2023 have been sent a survey. We are asking one parent from each of these families to help us understand their experiences with these foods.

HAS THIS TYPE OF SURVEY BEEN DONE BEFORE? WHAT HAS BEEN FOUND PREVIOUSLY?

There is growing interest in foods for young children. For example, in 2022, The Royal Children’s Hospital (Melbourne) ran a smaller study with about 1,000 families. It found that almost half of the foods children aged 4 months to 5 years were eating included store-bought foods. This showed us that these foods are commonly eaten. However, the study didn’t look at the types of foods eaten. It was also a smaller study and may not have reflected the full diversity of communities.

This is where GenV comes in. Over 40,000 families from all communities are taking part. We hope as many families will complete the survey they were sent by mid-August 2025.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR GENV AND HOW IT WILL HELP CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS?

GenV families play an invaluable role in our research. Together, we can improve the health and wellbeing of families now and in the future!