Food neophobia and mealtime food consumption in 4–5 year old children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous research has documented a negative association between maternal report of child food neophobia and reported frequency of consumption of fruit, vegetables, and meat. This study aimed to establish whether neophobia is associat...

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Main Authors: Wardle Jane, Carnell Susan, Cooke Lucy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2006-07-01
Series:International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Online Access:http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/3/1/14
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author Wardle Jane
Carnell Susan
Cooke Lucy
author_facet Wardle Jane
Carnell Susan
Cooke Lucy
author_sort Wardle Jane
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous research has documented a negative association between maternal report of child food neophobia and reported frequency of consumption of fruit, vegetables, and meat. This study aimed to establish whether neophobia is associated with lower intake of these food types in naturalistic mealtime situations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred and nine parents of 4–5 year olds completed questionnaires which included a six-item version of the Child Food Neophobia Scale (CFNS). The children took part in a series of 3 test lunch meals at weekly intervals at school at which they were presented with: chicken, cheese, bread, cheese crackers, chocolate biscuits, grapes and tomatoes or carrot sticks. Food items served to each child were weighed before and after the meal to assess total intake of items in four categories: Fruit and vegetables, Protein foods, Starchy foods and Snack foods. Pearson Product Moment Correlations and independent t tests were performed to examine associations between scores on the CFNS and consumption during lunches.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Neophobia was associated with lower consumption of fruit and vegetables, protein foods and total calories, but there was no association with intake of starch or snack foods.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results support previous research that has suggested that neophobia impacts differentially on consumption of different food types. Specifically it appears that children who score highly on the CFNS eat less fruit, vegetables and protein foods than their less neophobic peers. Attempts to increase intake of fruit, vegetables and protein might usefully incorporate strategies known to reduce the neophobic response.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-9fe5301401a54b24b4582239d237720c2022-12-21T21:17:05ZengBMCInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity1479-58682006-07-01311410.1186/1479-5868-3-14Food neophobia and mealtime food consumption in 4–5 year old childrenWardle JaneCarnell SusanCooke Lucy<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous research has documented a negative association between maternal report of child food neophobia and reported frequency of consumption of fruit, vegetables, and meat. This study aimed to establish whether neophobia is associated with lower intake of these food types in naturalistic mealtime situations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred and nine parents of 4–5 year olds completed questionnaires which included a six-item version of the Child Food Neophobia Scale (CFNS). The children took part in a series of 3 test lunch meals at weekly intervals at school at which they were presented with: chicken, cheese, bread, cheese crackers, chocolate biscuits, grapes and tomatoes or carrot sticks. Food items served to each child were weighed before and after the meal to assess total intake of items in four categories: Fruit and vegetables, Protein foods, Starchy foods and Snack foods. Pearson Product Moment Correlations and independent t tests were performed to examine associations between scores on the CFNS and consumption during lunches.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Neophobia was associated with lower consumption of fruit and vegetables, protein foods and total calories, but there was no association with intake of starch or snack foods.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results support previous research that has suggested that neophobia impacts differentially on consumption of different food types. Specifically it appears that children who score highly on the CFNS eat less fruit, vegetables and protein foods than their less neophobic peers. Attempts to increase intake of fruit, vegetables and protein might usefully incorporate strategies known to reduce the neophobic response.</p>http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/3/1/14
spellingShingle Wardle Jane
Carnell Susan
Cooke Lucy
Food neophobia and mealtime food consumption in 4–5 year old children
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
title Food neophobia and mealtime food consumption in 4–5 year old children
title_full Food neophobia and mealtime food consumption in 4–5 year old children
title_fullStr Food neophobia and mealtime food consumption in 4–5 year old children
title_full_unstemmed Food neophobia and mealtime food consumption in 4–5 year old children
title_short Food neophobia and mealtime food consumption in 4–5 year old children
title_sort food neophobia and mealtime food consumption in 4 5 year old children
url http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/3/1/14
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AT carnellsusan foodneophobiaandmealtimefoodconsumptionin45yearoldchildren
AT cookelucy foodneophobiaandmealtimefoodconsumptionin45yearoldchildren