Shapiro ALB, Lawless MC, Flesher A, Lattanzi K, Charlifue-Smith R, Johnson SL. Acceptance of a Novel Food is Related to Caregiver Perceptions of Infant and Toddler Food-related Receptive Language.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2022;
54:684-690. [PMID:
35643749 PMCID:
PMC9682559 DOI:
10.1016/j.jneb.2022.04.004]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Language development, both what is understood (receptive language) and spoken (expressive language), is considered critical to a child's ability to understand and interact with their environment. However, little research has investigated the role children's early language skills might play in their food acceptance. The objective of this study was to explore the relationships between young children's food-related receptive language (FRL) and food-related expressive language (FEL) and acceptance of novel food.
METHODS
Caregivers (n = 54) reported their perceptions of children's (aged 7-24 months) FRL and FEL using the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory. Novel food acceptance was observed (grams consumed) during a laboratory visit. Multivariable linear regression tested associations between FRL, FEL, and novel food acceptance, by child age (infants [aged from 7 to < 12 months], toddlers [aged 12-24 months]), and at a significance level of P < 0.1 for hypothesis-generating research.
RESULTS
Children's FRL and food acceptance differed by age (F = 8.08, P = 0.01). Among toddlers, greater FRL was associated with greater novel food acceptance (0.22 g [95% confidence interval, -0.04 to 0.49]), P = 0.09). In infants, greater FRL was associated with lower novel food acceptance (-0.80 g [95% confidence interval, -1.53 to -0.07], P = 0.03). No association between FEL and novel food acceptance was noted in either group.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Toddlers' understanding of food-related vocabulary may facilitate food acceptance; however, young infants may not yet have sufficient FRL to facilitate novel food acceptance.
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