Using Models' Facial Expressions to Enhance Healthy Eating Behaviour in Children
Study Details
Study Description
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.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
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.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Positive Condition Children were exposed to a video of adult models eating a single piece of raw broccoli whilst showing a positive facial expression (positive video) |
Behavioral: Facial 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.
|
| Experimental: Neutral Condition Children were exposed to a video of adult models eating a single piece of raw broccoli whilst showing a neutral facial expression (neutral video) |
Behavioral: Facial 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.
|
| Experimental: No-Food Control Condition Children were exposed to a video of adult models putting pens away whilst showing a neutral facial expression (no-food control video) |
Behavioral: Facial 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.
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- 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
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
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.
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aston University | Birmingham | United Kingdom | B4 7ET |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Aston University
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Katie Edwards, BSc, Aston University
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- #1688