Poster #52 - Repeated Exposure to Adults Consuming Vegetables With Positive Facial Expressions Increases Children’s Modelled Vegetable Intake

• In Event: Poster Session 18

Abstract

Research has shown that a single exposure to adults consuming a raw vegetable with positive facial expressions (‘positive modelling’) increases children’s consumption of the modelled vegetable. However, whether repeated exposure to positive modelling will increase the effect on children’s vegetable intake, and whether this effect generalises to a non-modelled vegetable, remains to be investigated. This experimental study examined the effect of a single exposure to positive modelling versus repeated exposure to positive modelling on children’s acceptance, intake and liking of a modelled and non-modelled vegetable. One-hundred and fifty-three children aged 5-6 years (81 males, 72 females) were randomised to receive a single or repeated exposure to a video of adults eating raw broccoli with positive facial expressions, or a no-food control video. Children’s acceptance, intake, and liking of a modelled (raw broccoli) and non-modelled vegetable (raw mangetout) were examined. Results showed that children’s intake of raw broccoli was greater at the second session if they had received repeated exposure to positive modelling, compared to those children who had received a single exposure, but not compared to children in the control condition. However, there was no effect on children’s broccoli acceptance and liking, and no generalised effect of positive facial expressions on consumption or liking of the non-modelled vegetable. These findings suggest that watching adults enjoy a typically disliked vegetable several times can encourage children’s consumption of the modelled vegetable. Therefore, repeatedly exposing children to adults enjoying vegetables could be a useful strategy to promote healthier eating by children.

Authors

• Katie Leigh Edwards, Aston University
  Presenting Author

• Jason Thomas, Aston University

• Suzanne Higgs, University of Birmingham

• Jacqueline Blissett, Aston University