Only 37% of adults say they refuse to cave in when pestered for meals such as chicken nuggets.
The research shows British toddlers eat more junk food than any others in Europe.
We also have the highest amount of kids who refuse to eat what is put in front of them.
Almost 70% regularly shove their plate away – with 26% rejecting a meal every day, compared to only 7% in France.
British parents are also the worst for handing out sweets as a reward for eating well.
Experts say the soft-touch approach is devastating for long-term health.
Child nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton said: “Toddlers have distinct nutritional requirements that aren’t always easy to meet but it’s important to remember that shouting, and bribing with sweets or TV tends to make things worse.
“A calm approach to meal times, using encouragement, stickers or special playtime as rewards, is more effective.
In those vital early years, toddlers need vitamins and minerals to support development, particularly iron, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins D and A.”
The figures from the European Toddler Nutrition Index show that 31% of British children have chicken nuggets at least once a week compared to much lower rates in most other countries.
Childhood obesity rates are rocketing in the UK and the study of 5,000 children aged one to three revealed that only a fifth of parents here worry about their toddler becoming overweight.
The study for growingupmilkinfo.com found that the strictest mealtime mums are in Sweden.
Percentage of parents who say they never give in to toddler demands for junk food: 1. Sweden 54%, 2. Netherlands 46%, 3. France 44%, 4. Spain 42%, 5. UK 37%, 6. Germany 25%, 7. Italy 21%.
- An unhealthy 1.3 million kids in Britain are only given crisps or a biscuit for breakfast every day, according to a Farmhouse Breakfast Week poll of 2,000 people.
