Effects of repeated exposure on acceptance of initially disliked and liked Nordic snack bars in 9-11 year-old children

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effects of repeated exposure on acceptance of initially disliked and liked Nordic snack bars in 9-11 year-old children

AU - Hausner, Helene

AU - Hartvig, Ditte Luise

AU - Reinbach, Helene Christine

AU - Wendin, Karin Maria Elisabet

AU - Bredie, Wender Laurentius Petrus

PY - 2012/2

Y1 - 2012/2

N2 - Background & aims: Children's food choices are guided by their preferences. It is established, however, that repeated exposure to a novel food increases children's acceptance. This study investigated how acceptance of an initially liked and disliked snack bar develops in 9-11 year-old children. Methods: 315 children were randomised into three groups: A control group (n=111) and two groups exposed to an initially liked kamut bar (n=94) and an initially disliked sea buckthorn bar (n=110). Acceptance of both bars was tested before and after the exposure period, and on the 9th exposure. Results: Intake of both bars increased significantly in the exposure groups. There was no difference in the control groups' intake or liking of the bars between pre and post-testing. Liking rose significantly for children exposed to the disliked sea buckthorn bar, while this was not observed in children exposed to the liked kamut bar. In a post-test children exposed to kamut bars had higher intake of that bar than non-exposed children. This was also observed for the sea buckthorn bar that was also given significantly higher liking scores by the exposure group. Conclusions: The majority of children exposed to an initially disliked bar increase acceptance after nine exposures to the same level as an initially liked bar. Children repeatedly exposed to a liked bar show stable acceptance.

AB - Background & aims: Children's food choices are guided by their preferences. It is established, however, that repeated exposure to a novel food increases children's acceptance. This study investigated how acceptance of an initially liked and disliked snack bar develops in 9-11 year-old children. Methods: 315 children were randomised into three groups: A control group (n=111) and two groups exposed to an initially liked kamut bar (n=94) and an initially disliked sea buckthorn bar (n=110). Acceptance of both bars was tested before and after the exposure period, and on the 9th exposure. Results: Intake of both bars increased significantly in the exposure groups. There was no difference in the control groups' intake or liking of the bars between pre and post-testing. Liking rose significantly for children exposed to the disliked sea buckthorn bar, while this was not observed in children exposed to the liked kamut bar. In a post-test children exposed to kamut bars had higher intake of that bar than non-exposed children. This was also observed for the sea buckthorn bar that was also given significantly higher liking scores by the exposure group. Conclusions: The majority of children exposed to an initially disliked bar increase acceptance after nine exposures to the same level as an initially liked bar. Children repeatedly exposed to a liked bar show stable acceptance.

U2 - 10.1016/j.clnu.2011.08.003

DO - 10.1016/j.clnu.2011.08.003

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 21868139

SN - 0261-5614

VL - 31

SP - 137

EP - 143

JO - Clinical Nutrition

JF - Clinical Nutrition

IS - 1

ER -