Hiding fruit and vegetables from youngsters might not seem to be an obvious way to get children to eat more healthily. But a new study published in the Lancet has revealed that playing games with infants' five-a-day can help increase their consumption.

Dr Corinna Hawkes, head of policy at World Cancer Research Fund International, said there is a growing understanding that early food preferences set the tone for longer term food habits.

She said: "If I were to give one piece of advice to decision-makers looking for solutions to obesity, it would be: look at the evidence on young children. We know a lot more now about how food preferences are learned over time and their impact on eating habits.

"The future benefits to society of raising a generation for whom healthier food choices are the preferred choices, are huge. Kids who enjoy healthy eating when they are young have a better chance of keeping hold of those habits in later life. In turn they are likely to be a positive influence on others, including their own children."

Dr Hawkes said one way of doing this is to slice up pieces of fruit and vegetables in attractive shapes and leave them dotted around the house, or school, for them to snack on.

She said: "If they see parents or other role models, such as teachers, eating them they are more likely to do the same. This is when they are most impressionable and you can begin a habit for a lifetime."