Free toys swaying children's choices

MELBOURNE, Australia - Toys can have a significant influence on the eating choices of children, Australian research has found.

The study, published by the Cancer Council of Victoria on Tuesday, found that children aged between 5 and 9 years old were more likely to choose a healthy food option if the meal came with a free toy, such as a character from a popular movie.

More than 1,000 children were offered a number of healthy and unhealthy meal choices after watching a trailer for a film.