Aim
This study evaluated the effectiveness of an exposure-based intervention, carried out by parents in the home, in increasing children’s liking for a previously disliked vegetable
Objectives
It was hypothesized that children receiving ten or more taste exposures would show an increase in liking and consumption of a previously disliked vegetable relative to either the information or control groups.
Summary
The study is a randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of an exposure-based intervention, carried out by parents in the home, for increasing children’s liking for a previously disliked vegetable. Parents of 2–6 year old children were assigned to one of three groups: (a) training in ‘exposure’ feeding, (b) general nutrition information, or (c) no treatment. Assessments of vegetable intake were taken pre- and post- intervention. Parents of children assigned to the exposure group were asked to offer their child a taste of their target vegetable every day for 14 consecutive days. Parents were also provided a 'vegetable diary' to record their experiences, with space for children to record their liking for the vegetable after each tasting. The information group received a leaflet about dietary guidelines and suggestions for increasing children's vegetable intake.
Journal article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195666302001356