A population-based study of preschoolers' food neophobia and its associations with food preferences.
OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the relationships between food preferences, food neophobia, and children's characteristics among a population-based sample of preschoolers.


METHODS
A parent-report questionnaire.


METHODS
Child-care centers, kindergartens, playgroups, day nurseries, and swimming centers.


METHODS
371 two- to five-year-old Australian children.


METHODS
Associations between food neophobia and the food preferences and characteristics.


METHODS
Analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, Pearson product-moment correlations, and Fisher z test were used to estimate and compare the associations between these variables.


RESULTS
Food neophobia was associated with reduced preferences for all food groups, but especially for vegetables (r = -0.60; P < .001). It was also associated with liking fewer food types (r = -0.55; P < .001), disliking more food types (r = 0.42; P < .001), the number of untried food types (r = 0.25; P < .001), a less varied range of food preferences (r = -0.59; P < .001), and less healthful food preferences overall (r = -0.55; P < .001). No significant relationships (P < .01) were observed between food neophobia and a child's age, sex, or history of breast-feeding.


CONCLUSIONS
The study confirms and extends results obtained in experimental research and population-based intake studies of food neophobia to children's everyday food preferences. The findings suggest that preschool children's everyday food preferences are strongly associated with food neophobia but not with children's age, sex, or history of breast-feeding. When aiming to influence children's food preferences, the effects of food neophobia and strategies to reduce it should be considered.
Russell
Catherine Georgina
CG
Deakin University, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Burwood, Victoria, Australia. georgie.russell@unilever.com
Worsley
Anthony
A
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001315:Australia; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016487:Parenting; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004041:Dietary Fats; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D012982:Sodium, Dietary