A method to measure the effect of food appearance factors on children's visual preferences

TY - JOUR

T1 - A method to measure the effect of food appearance factors on children's visual preferences

AU - Kildegaard, Heidi

AU - Olsen, Annemarie

AU - Gabrielsen, Gorm

AU - Møller, Per

AU - Thybo, Anette

N1 - AGROSTAT 2010

PY - 2011/12

Y1 - 2011/12

N2 - The aim of the study was to examine children's visual preferences for two food products; yoghurts and smoothies, by using a conjoint layout. In total, 274 children performed an incomplete ranking of 8 pictures formed by three factors each with two levels (2 3 design). The three food appearance factors were 'colour', 'visible fruit' and 'portion size'. The children were segmented into one of eight groups given by 2 (grade)×2 (urban/rural affiliation)×2 (time of visit), and they completed questionnaires regarding background information. Finally, an actual product choice was performed for the eight smoothies.The children visually preferred the two products without visible fruit and colour had a large influence on visual preferences too. As regards the yoghurts, the children accepted a less simple variant whereas the most preferred smoothie was very simple. Significant synergetic effects between food appearance factors and segmentation factors were found. Additionally gender and ethnicity were found to be influential drivers for food choice.

AB - The aim of the study was to examine children's visual preferences for two food products; yoghurts and smoothies, by using a conjoint layout. In total, 274 children performed an incomplete ranking of 8 pictures formed by three factors each with two levels (2 3 design). The three food appearance factors were 'colour', 'visible fruit' and 'portion size'. The children were segmented into one of eight groups given by 2 (grade)×2 (urban/rural affiliation)×2 (time of visit), and they completed questionnaires regarding background information. Finally, an actual product choice was performed for the eight smoothies.The children visually preferred the two products without visible fruit and colour had a large influence on visual preferences too. As regards the yoghurts, the children accepted a less simple variant whereas the most preferred smoothie was very simple. Significant synergetic effects between food appearance factors and segmentation factors were found. Additionally gender and ethnicity were found to be influential drivers for food choice.

U2 - 10.1016/j.foodqual.2011.06.009

DO - 10.1016/j.foodqual.2011.06.009

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0950-3293

VL - 22

SP - 763

EP - 771

JO - Food Quality and Preference

JF - Food Quality and Preference

IS - 8

ER -