6533b831fe1ef96bd129902b
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Learning to Eat Vegetables in Early Life: The Role of Timing, Age and Individual Eating Traits
Sara M. AhernMarion M. HetheringtonChandani NekitsingEloïse RémySamantha J. CatonSophie NicklausSophie NicklausSophie NicklausAnnemarie OlsenPer MøllerPam BlundellClaire ChabanetClaire ChabanetClaire ChabanetHelene HausnerSylvie IssanchouSylvie IssanchouSylvie Issanchousubject
MaleTasteTime Factorsplate-clearerPhysiologyEpidemiology030309 nutrition & dieteticshabitude alimentaireNovel foodPediatrics0302 clinical medicineFeeding behaviorVegetablesMedicine and Health SciencesPsychologyMedicinePublic and Occupational HealthFood sciencetoddlersPediatric EpidemiologyEating behaviourenfant2. Zero hunger0303 health scienceslearningMultidisciplinaryinfantsQAge FactorsChild HealthRExperimental Psychologyacceptation de légumeapprentissageEarly lifePhysiological ParametersResearch DesignChild PreschoolAlimentation et NutritionMedicineFemaleBehavioral and Social Aspects of HealthResearch ArticleallaitementClinical Research DesignScienceconsommation alimentaire030209 endocrinology & metabolismResearch and Analysis MethodsfussinessFood Preferences03 medical and health scienceschildrenIntervention (counseling)vegetable intakecaractère alimentaire difficileFood and NutritionHumansObesityNutritionBehaviorbusiness.industryBody WeightCognitive PsychologyInfantBiology and Life ScienceslégumeFeeding Behaviorjeune enfantchildren;toddlers;infants;vegetable intake;learning;fussiness;age;eating traits;plate-clearer;non-eater;jeune enfant;nourrisson;acceptation de légume;apprentissage;caractère alimentaire difficilenon-eaternourrissonageExposure periodCognitive Scienceeating traitsbusiness[SDV.AEN]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Food and NutritionBreast feedingNeuroscienceDemographydescription
Vegetable intake is generally low among children, who appear to be especially fussy during the pre-school years. Repeated exposure is known to enhance intake of a novel vegetable in early life but individual differences in response to familiarisation have emerged from recent studies. In order to understand the factors which predict different responses to repeated exposure, data from the same experiment conducted in three groups of children from three countries (n = 332) aged 4-38 m (18.9 +/- 9.9 m) were combined and modelled. During the intervention period each child was given between 5 and 10 exposures to a novel vegetable (artichoke puree) in one of three versions (basic, sweet or added energy). Intake of basic artichoke puree was measured both before and after the exposure period. Overall, younger children consumed more artichoke than older children. Four distinct patterns of eating behaviour during the exposure period were defined. Most children were "learners'' (40%) who increased intake over time. 21% consumed more than 75% of what was offered each time and were labelled "plate-clearers''. 16% were considered "non-eaters'' eating less than 10 g by the 5th exposure and the remainder were classified as "others'' (23%) since their pattern was highly variable. Age was a significant predictor of eating pattern, with older pre-school children more likely to be non-eaters. Plate-clearers had higher enjoyment of food and lower satiety responsiveness than non-eaters who scored highest on food fussiness. Children in the added energy condition showed the smallest change in intake over time, compared to those in the basic or sweetened artichoke condition. Clearly whilst repeated exposure familiarises children with a novel food, alternative strategies that focus on encouraging initial tastes of the target food might be needed for the fussier and older pre-school children.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-05-30 | PLoS ONE |