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

TLDR

Prior studies show that higher child food neophobia is linked to lower consumption of fruits, vegetables, and meat. The study examined whether food neophobia predicts reduced intake of fruits, vegetables, and protein foods during school lunches. 109 4–5‑year‑olds completed a six‑item CFNS questionnaire and took part in three weekly school lunch trials, where portions of various foods were weighed before and after eating to measure intake of fruit, vegetables, protein, starchy, and snack foods. Higher food neophobia was linked to reduced intake of fruits, vegetables, and protein foods (and lower total calories) during lunch, suggesting that interventions to boost these foods should target neophobic responses.

Abstract

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.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.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.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.