Children may be more likely to learn to cook vegetables if parents show them Popeye cartoons, according to research.

The Spinach-eating animated sailor was found to promote healthy eating in children, in a study published in the journal Nutrition and Dietetics by researchers at Mahidol University, Bangkok.

Researchers used multimedia tools and role models to promote healthy eating - and compared fruit and vegetable intake before and after the programme.

Commenting on the process, lead researcher professor Chutima Sirikulchayanonta explained: "We got the children planting vegetable seeds, taking part in fruit and vegetable tasting parties, cooking vegetable soup, and watching Popeye cartoons.

"We also sent letters to parents with tips on encouraging their kids to eat fruit and vegetables."

The research also showed that learning to cook can also boost children's healthy food intake.

Involving kids in food preparation - such as measuring, pouring and stirring - helps them to become familiar with foods, authors claimed.