1
|
Tournier C, Forde CG. Food oral processing and eating behavior from infancy to childhood: evidence on the role of food texture in the development of healthy eating behavior. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2023:1-14. [PMID: 37267128 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2214227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Eating behaviors develop in early life and refine during childhood, shaping long-term food choice and dietary habits, which underpin optimum growth and health. The development of Food Oral Processing (FOP) is of major importance in the establishment of eating behaviors at two scale levels: for the initial acceptance of food texture and for the longer-term development of eating behaviors associated to food intake. To date, both processes have been studied as independent topics and the current review proposes a parallel vision on their development from the onset of complementary feeding to later childhood. Individual factors affecting these FOP-related behaviors as they relate to food texture acceptance are discussed, alongside examples of interventions aiming at modifying them. Opportunity to better consider food textures when designing foods for children is addressed. Altogether, the review demonstrates the critical role of food texture in the development of a child's FOP skills, eating habits, and dietary patterns. These scientific knowledges need to be considered for the development of healthier eating behavior. We identify research gaps that need to be addressed and highlight the need to design foods that can support the development of healthy oral processing and eating behaviors among infants and children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carole Tournier
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
- INRAE, PROBE Research Infrastructure, ChemoSens Facility, Dijon, France
| | - Ciaran G Forde
- Sensory Science and Eating Behaviour, Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chow CY, Skouw S, Bech AC, Olsen A, Bredie WLP. A review on children's oral texture perception and preferences in foods. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 64:3861-3879. [PMID: 36300653 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2136619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Texture properties of foods are particular drivers for food acceptance and rejection in children. The texture preferences follow the developmental progression of the child and these changes modulate the present and future food habits. This paper reviews the development and factors influencing texture preferences in children and the methods in food texture research with children. The child's acceptance of more complex food textures is age-dependent. The progression is indorsed by the development of oral processing skills at an early age and bolstered by repeated exposures to foods with varying textures. Children generally reject foods containing pieces or bits (i.e., geometrical textural properties); however, the impact of mechanical textural properties on food acceptance is less clear. Child characteristics such as food neophobia, picky eating, and tactile over-responsivity, negatively affect the acceptance of more diverse food textures. Depending on the child's age, the prevailing methods of characterizing food texture preferences in children include observational techniques and self-reported questionnaires. Despite knowledge of children's development of masticatory skills, learning, and cognitive abilities, the relationships of these changes to food texture acceptance and the recommended test methodology for evaluating product texture acceptance in this period of life are still limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ching Yue Chow
- Section for Food Design and Consumer Behavior, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Arla Innovation Centre, Arla Foods AMBA, Denmark
| | - Sigrid Skouw
- Section for Food Design and Consumer Behavior, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne C Bech
- Arla Innovation Centre, Arla Foods AMBA, Denmark
| | - Annemarie Olsen
- Section for Food Design and Consumer Behavior, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Wender L P Bredie
- Section for Food Design and Consumer Behavior, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Junqueira P, dos Santos DLC, Lebl MCG, de Cesar MFC, dos Santos Amaral CA, Alves TC. Relationship between Anthropometric Parameters and Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Brazilian Children with a Pediatric Feeding Disorder. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13072253. [PMID: 34208820 PMCID: PMC8308362 DOI: 10.3390/nu13072253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to relate anthropometric parameters and sensory processing in typically developing Brazilian children diagnosed with a pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). This was a retrospective study of typically developing children with a PFD. Anthropometric data were collected and indices of weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, and body mass index-for-age (BMI-for-age) were analyzed as z-scores. Sensory profile data were collected for auditory, visual, tactile, vestibular, and oral sensory processing. We included 79 medical records of children with a PFD. There were no statistically significant (p > 0.05) relationships between the anthropometric variables (weight-, length/height-, or BMI-for-age) and the sensory variables (auditory, visual, tactile, vestibular, or oral sensory processing). In conclusion, we found no relationship between anthropometric parameters and sensory processing in the sample of typically developing Brazilian children diagnosed with a PFD under study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Junqueira
- Children Development Institute, São Paulo 04537-040, Brazil; (D.L.C.d.S.); (M.C.G.L.); (M.F.C.d.C.); (C.A.d.S.A.); (T.C.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Mariana Célia Guerra Lebl
- Children Development Institute, São Paulo 04537-040, Brazil; (D.L.C.d.S.); (M.C.G.L.); (M.F.C.d.C.); (C.A.d.S.A.); (T.C.A.)
| | | | | | - Thais Coelho Alves
- Children Development Institute, São Paulo 04537-040, Brazil; (D.L.C.d.S.); (M.C.G.L.); (M.F.C.d.C.); (C.A.d.S.A.); (T.C.A.)
- Graduate of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Department, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Marília 17525-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chawner LR, Hetherington MM. Utilising an integrated approach to developing liking for and consumption of vegetables in children. Physiol Behav 2021; 238:113493. [PMID: 34116053 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Children eat too few vegetables and this is attributed to disliked flavours and texture as well as low energy density. Vegetables confer selective health benefits over other foods and so children are encouraged to eat them. Parents and caregivers face a challenge in incorporating vegetables into their child's habitual diet. However, liking and intake may be increased through different forms of learning. Children learn about vegetables across development from exposure to some vegetable flavours in utero, through breastmilk, complementary feeding and transitioning to family diets. Infants aged between 5 and 7 m are most amenable to accepting vegetables. However, a range of biological, social, environmental and individual factors may act independently and in tandem to reduce the appeal of eating vegetables. By applying aspects of learning theory, including social learning, liking and intake of vegetables can be increased. We propose taking an integrated and individualised approach to child feeding in order to achieve optimal learning in the early years. Simple techniques such as repeated exposure, modelling, social praise and creating social norms for eating vegetables can contribute to positive feeding experiences which in turn, contributes to increased acceptance of vegetables. However, there is a mismatch between experimental studies and the ways that children eat vegetables in real world settings. Therefore, current knowledge of the best strategies to increase vegetable liking and intake gained from experimental studies must be adapted and integrated for application to home and care settings, while responding to individual differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L R Chawner
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Navarrete-Muñoz EM, Fernández-Pires P, Mubarak-García C, Espinosa-Sempere C, Peral-Gómez P, Juárez-Leal I, Sánchez-Pérez A, Pérez-Vázquez MT, Hurtado-Pomares M, Valera-Gran D. Association between Body Mass Index and Sensory Processing in Childhood: InProS Study. Nutrients 2020; 12:E3684. [PMID: 33260408 PMCID: PMC7761512 DOI: 10.3390/nu12123684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the association between body mass index (BMI) and sensory processing in 445 Spanish children aged 3-7 from the InProS project. Child sensory processing was measured using the short sensory profile (SSP); an atypical sensory performance was defined as an SSP total score <155 and scores of tactile sensitivity <30; taste/smell sensitivity <15; movement sensitivity <13; under-responsive/seeks sensation <27; auditory filtering <23; low energy/weak <26; and visual/auditory sensitivity <19. The BMI was calculated according to the cutoffs by the World Health Organization for children aged 0-5 and 5-19 years. We used multiple Poisson regression models with robust variance to obtain prevalence ratios (PR). No associations between children's overweight and obesity and the prevalence of atypical sensory outcomes were observed. A one-point increase in BMI was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of atypical tactile sensitivity (PR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02; 1.12). A statistically marginal association was also observed for atypical total SSP (PR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00; 1.07) and atypical movement sensitivity (PR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00; 1.10). To our knowledge, this is the first time the association between children's BMI and sensory processing has been reported. Our findings suggest that sensory processing issues may play a part in the complex context of childhood obesity. Further research is required to confirm these findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva-María Navarrete-Muñoz
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (E.-M.N.-M.); (C.E.-S.); (P.P.-G.); (I.J.-L.); (A.S.-P.)
- Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (P.F.-P.); (C.M.-G.); (M.-T.P.-V.)
| | - Paula Fernández-Pires
- Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (P.F.-P.); (C.M.-G.); (M.-T.P.-V.)
| | - Carmela Mubarak-García
- Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (P.F.-P.); (C.M.-G.); (M.-T.P.-V.)
| | - Cristina Espinosa-Sempere
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (E.-M.N.-M.); (C.E.-S.); (P.P.-G.); (I.J.-L.); (A.S.-P.)
- Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (P.F.-P.); (C.M.-G.); (M.-T.P.-V.)
| | - Paula Peral-Gómez
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (E.-M.N.-M.); (C.E.-S.); (P.P.-G.); (I.J.-L.); (A.S.-P.)
- Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (P.F.-P.); (C.M.-G.); (M.-T.P.-V.)
| | - Iris Juárez-Leal
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (E.-M.N.-M.); (C.E.-S.); (P.P.-G.); (I.J.-L.); (A.S.-P.)
- Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (P.F.-P.); (C.M.-G.); (M.-T.P.-V.)
| | - Alicia Sánchez-Pérez
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (E.-M.N.-M.); (C.E.-S.); (P.P.-G.); (I.J.-L.); (A.S.-P.)
- Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (P.F.-P.); (C.M.-G.); (M.-T.P.-V.)
| | - María-Teresa Pérez-Vázquez
- Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (P.F.-P.); (C.M.-G.); (M.-T.P.-V.)
- Vicerrectorado de Relaciones Institucionales de la Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Miriam Hurtado-Pomares
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (E.-M.N.-M.); (C.E.-S.); (P.P.-G.); (I.J.-L.); (A.S.-P.)
- Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (P.F.-P.); (C.M.-G.); (M.-T.P.-V.)
- Vicerrectorado de Relaciones Institucionales de la Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Desirée Valera-Gran
- Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Ocupacional (InTeO), Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (E.-M.N.-M.); (C.E.-S.); (P.P.-G.); (I.J.-L.); (A.S.-P.)
- Department of Pathology and Surgery, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (P.F.-P.); (C.M.-G.); (M.-T.P.-V.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Navarrete-Muñoz EM, Fernández-Pires P, Navarro-Amat S, Hurtado-Pomares M, Peral-Gómez P, Juárez-Leal I, Espinosa-Sempere C, Sánchez-Pérez A, Valera-Gran D. Association between Adherence to the Antioxidant-Rich Mediterranean Diet and Sensory Processing Profile in School-Aged Children: The Spanish Cross-Sectional InProS Project. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11051007. [PMID: 31052555 PMCID: PMC6566151 DOI: 10.3390/nu11051007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and sensory processing in 583 Spanish children aged 3–7 years from the InProS project in Alicante, Spain. Child sensory processing was measured using the short sensory profile (SSP); atypical sensory performance was defined as SSP total score <155; tactile sensitivity <30; taste/smell sensitivity <15; movement sensitivity <13; under-responsive/seeks sensation <27; auditory filtering <23; low energy/weak <26; and visual/auditory sensitivity <19 scores. Adherence to the MD was measured using the Mediterranean diet quality index KIDMED. Multiple Poisson regression models with robust variance, based on the Huber sandwich estimate, were used to obtain prevalence ratios (PR). Our findings suggested that a lower prevalence of atypical tactile and taste/smell sensitivity were associated with having medium (PR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.25; 0.99; PR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.33; 0.99, respectively) and high adherence to the MD (PR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34; 0.99; PR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.19; 0.60, respectively), and of atypical low energy/weak with having medium adherence to the MD (PR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.16; 0.83). A two-point increase in adherence to the MD showed a general positive effect against atypical sensory performance, although it was statistically significant on taste/smell sensitivity (PR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.59; 0.85) and low energy/weak (PR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.64; 0.99) subscales. To our knowledge, this is the first study that shows a protective effect of adherence to the MD against prevalence of atypical sensory processing in school-aged children. Further research from longitudinal studies is required to confirm these findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva-María Navarrete-Muñoz
- Occupational Therapy Area, Department of Surgery and Pathology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
- Unit of Nutritional Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL-FISABIO Foundation), 03550 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Paula Fernández-Pires
- Occupational Therapy Area, Department of Surgery and Pathology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Silvia Navarro-Amat
- Occupational Therapy Area, Department of Surgery and Pathology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Miriam Hurtado-Pomares
- Occupational Therapy Area, Department of Surgery and Pathology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Paula Peral-Gómez
- Occupational Therapy Area, Department of Surgery and Pathology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Iris Juárez-Leal
- Occupational Therapy Area, Department of Surgery and Pathology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Cristina Espinosa-Sempere
- Occupational Therapy Area, Department of Surgery and Pathology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Alicia Sánchez-Pérez
- Occupational Therapy Area, Department of Surgery and Pathology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
| | - Desirée Valera-Gran
- Occupational Therapy Area, Department of Surgery and Pathology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL-FISABIO Foundation), 03550 Alicante, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nederkoorn C, Houben K, Havermans RC. Taste the texture. The relation between subjective tactile sensitivity, mouthfeel and picky eating in young adults. Appetite 2019; 136:58-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
8
|
Nicklaus S, Schwartz C. Early influencing factors on the development of sensory and food preferences. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2019; 22:230-235. [PMID: 30883465 DOI: 10.1097/mco.0000000000000554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current review focuses on studies investigating the factors related to the development of preferences for foods and sensory inputs (tastes, odours, and food textures) in the first years of life, which constitutes a specific window for food learning. RECENT FINDINGS Foetal nutrition, intrauterine growth, and prematurity influence food preferences; this topic warrants more research to broaden our understanding of the 1000 days phenomenon. Although it is less studied than other sensory inputs, food texture acceptance, and the related sensitive period for texture introduction are attracting more attention, as is the impact of fat acceptance. Research should focus not on vegetables alone but on diverse foods whose consumption is encouraged (e.g., fishes and legumes). The role of parental feeding practices, as another major determinant, continues to inspire research exploring the bidirectional influences between children and caregivers. New interventions have confirmed the strong positive influence of repeated exposure to foods through familiarization via taste lessons, cooking, or play activities on acceptance. Interventions that consider individuals traits are necessary. SUMMARY Although new evidence is available, it remains a challenge to consider both individual traits and bidirectional influences between parents and children and to investigate this issue worldwide and in all socioeconomic status groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Nicklaus
- Centre des Sciences du GoÛt et de l'Alimentation, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRA, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Schwartz C, Vandenberghe-Descamps M, Sulmont-Rossé C, Tournier C, Feron G. Behavioral and physiological determinants of food choice and consumption at sensitive periods of the life span, a focus on infants and elderly. INNOV FOOD SCI EMERG 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
|
10
|
Costantini C, Harris G, Reddy V, Akehurst L, Fasulo A. Introducing Complementary Foods to Infants: Does Age Really Matter? A Look at Feeding Practices in Two European Communities: British and Italian. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/13575279.2017.1414033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Costantini
- Department of Psychology, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Gillian Harris
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Vasudevi Reddy
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Lucy Akehurst
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Coulthard H, Sealy A. Play with your food! Sensory play is associated with tasting of fruits and vegetables in preschool children. Appetite 2017; 113:84-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
12
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW A sensitive period in development is one in which it is easier for learning to take place; the behaviour can however still be learned at a later stage, but with more difficulty. This is in contrast to a critical period, a time at which a behaviour must be learned, and if this window of opportunity is missed, then the behaviour can never be acquired. Both might determine food acceptance in childhood. RECENT FINDINGS There is evidence to support the idea of a sensitive period for the introduction of tastes, a critical period for the introduction of textures and for the development of oral motor function, and a possible critical period for the introduction of new foods but only in children where there is an innate disposition to develop early and extreme disgust responses. SUMMARY There are both sensitive and critical periods in the acquisition of food preferences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Harris
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sarah Mason
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Coulthard H, Harris G, Fogel A. Association between tactile over-responsivity and vegetable consumption early in the introduction of solid foods and its variation with age. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2016; 12:848-59. [PMID: 26792423 PMCID: PMC6860046 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Revised: 08/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The main aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that early reactions to a vegetable in infants may be associated with sensory processing, in particular, tactile over-responsivity. A secondary aim was to see whether the relationship between sensory over-responsivity and vegetable consumption would be moderated by the age of the infant. A sample of 61 infants was recruited from children's centres and playgroups in South Birmingham, UK. Infant's acceptance of carrot was measured in grams during the first week of complementary feeding in one testing situation. Mothers filled in self-report measures of infant sensory processing, as well as their own fruit and vegetable consumption. Infant carrot consumption in the first week of solid food consumption was negatively associated with total sensory over-responsivity across different sensory domains (P < 0.01). Across the sensory domains only tactile over-responsivity predicted carrot consumption, accounting for 10.7% of the variance in consumption scores. Across the sample as a whole, the relationship between carrot consumption and tactile over-responsivity varied according to the age of introduction to solid foods. In particular, those who were weaned later and had high tactile over-responsivity ate less carrot (P < 0.001). Infants who were weaned early ate a similar amount of carrot, regardless of their tactile responsivity (P > 0.05). This study constitutes some of the first evidence to suggest that sensory processing styles be associated with early vegetable acceptance; however, more research is needed to evaluate the best strategies to use when feeding infants who are sensitive to tactile information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen Coulthard
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Hawthorn Building, De Montfort University, Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK.
| | - Gillian Harris
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Anna Fogel
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Harris G, Coulthard H. Early Eating Behaviours and Food Acceptance Revisited: Breastfeeding and Introduction of Complementary Foods as Predictive of Food Acceptance. Curr Obes Rep 2016; 5:113-20. [PMID: 26956951 PMCID: PMC4796330 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-016-0202-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Current dietary advice for children is that they should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day (Department of Health. National Diet and Nutrition Survey, 2014). However, many parents report that children are reluctant to eat vegetables and often fail to comply with the five-a-day rule. In fact, in surveys carried out in areas in the UK, the number of children eating according to the five-a-day rule has been found to be as low as 16 % (Cockroft et al. Public Health Nutr 8(7):861-69, 2005). This narrative review looks at those factors which contribute to food acceptance, especially fruit and vegetables, and how acceptance might be enhanced to contribute to a wider dietary range in infancy and later childhood. The questions we address are whether the range of foods accepted is determined by the following: innate predispositions interacting with early experience with taste and textures, sensitive periods in infancy for introduction, breastfeeding and the pattern of introduction of complementary foods. Our conclusions are that all of these factors affect dietary range, and that both breastfeeding and the timely introduction of complementary foods predict subsequent food acceptance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Harris
- />School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK
| | - Helen Coulthard
- />Division of Psychology, De Montfort University, Leicester, LE1 9BH UK
| |
Collapse
|