Eating Behavior
Conditions
Keywords
Children
Brief summary
This study examined the effect of adults' facial expressions (FEs) whilst eating raw broccoli on children's acceptance and intake of a typically less preferred vegetable. Investigating others' FEs in isolation (e.g., without statements about food tastiness) will improve understanding of the role of FEs in modelling of eating and contribute to developing strategies to help children learn pleasure from nutritious foods. Based on previous literature, it was hypothesised that children's acceptance (willingness to try, and frequency of taste exposures) and intake of raw broccoli would be higher after exposure to models eating raw broccoli with positive FEs, compared to models consuming raw broccoli with neutral FEs, or a non-food control video.
Detailed description
Research has shown that seeing positive facial expressions towards food are effective for increasing children's desire to eat foods rated as disliked. However, the effect of adults' positive facial expressions whilst eating a raw vegetable on children's acceptance and consumption of nutritious foods that are less preferred (e.g., vegetables) remains to be established. This study examined the effect of unfamiliar adult models' facial expressions eating raw broccoli on children's acceptance and consumption of raw broccoli. Children aged 4-6-year-olds were randomised to watch a video of unfamiliar adult models eating raw broccoli with a positive or neutral facial expression, or a non-food control video. Children's acceptance (willingness to try and frequency of taste exposures) and consumption of raw broccoli was assessed. Data about parent and child characteristics was provided by parents.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALFacial expression video
Children are randomly allocated to one of three conditions: positive, neutral or no-food control, where they will watch either a positive, neutral, or no-food control video.
Sponsors
Aston University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Intervention model description
Children were randomly assigned to one of three conditions (positive, neutral or control)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
4 Years to 6 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Child must be aged 4-6-years old. Parent and child must be living in the UK.
Exclusion criteria
* Children with food allergies, food intolerances, or medical conditions that affect eating behaviour were not eligible to take part.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Raw broccoli intake | 5 minutes | Children's intake of raw broccoli (amount of grams consumed) |
| Willingness to try raw broccoli | 5 minutes | Children's willingness to try raw broccoli |
| Frequency of taste exposures to raw broccoli | 5 minutes | Children's number of oral taste exposures to raw broccoli |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed