Abstract
Background The nutrients provided by fruits and vegetables are essential for optimal growth and development, yet fruits and vegetables continue to be under-consumed by most children. Children’s liking of foods is a primary predictor of intake, suggesting that increasing children’s liking of fruits and vegetables may serve as an initial step toward increasing their consumption. The objective of this study was to determine if healthy fruit and vegetable (FV) snacks presented in child-friendly (CF) shapes were perceived as more fun and therefore better liked by children, as compared to FV snacks offered in regular shapes. Methods Convenience sample recruited in a local shopping mall and two large grocery stores. Children (n=365) participated in a survey and both children and adults completed an optional taste-test of apples, cucumbers, cantaloupe, and sweet potatoes offered either in regular shapes (small chunks and slices) or in CF shapes (butterfly, chick, flower and teddy bear). Results Data indicated that CF-shaped FV snack samples were 34.2% more likely to be selected than their regular-shaped versions (OR 1.342, 95% CI 1.024 – 1.760, p<0.033). Children perceived the shape of CF-shaped fruits and vegetables as more fun than that of regularshaped fruits and vegetables (p<0.001). Children’s ratings of the appearance, taste and texture of the FV snacks were high, (lsmean ± SE ≥4.35 ± 0.08) but ratings were not significantly different between CF- and regular-shaped samples. Conclusions: Results suggest that the shape of FV snacks may play a role in children’s perception of these foods as being “fun” and may encourage children to try (and eat) those foods; however, future research is needed to explore the size, color, and shapes that are most likely to also increase the liking and consumption of healthy snack foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
Highlights
Many fruits and vegetables are nutrient-dense foods – low in fat and calories, but rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients [1, 2]
Data indicated that CF-shaped fruit and vegetable (FV) snack samples were 34.2% more likely to be selected than their regular-shaped versions
Results suggest that the shape of FV snacks may play a role in children’s perception of these foods as being “fun” and may encourage children to try those foods; future research is needed to explore the size, color, and shapes that are most likely to increase the liking and consumption of healthy snack foods, such as fruits and vegetables
Summary
Many fruits and vegetables are nutrient-dense foods – low in fat and calories, but rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients [1, 2]. These nutrients are especially important for healthy growth and development during childhood, when nutrient needs are high relative to total caloric intake [3]. The prevalence of adequate fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption among U.S children typically decreases with age; less than 14% of adolescents meet the minimum recommended daily levels of fruit intake and as little as 3% achieve the minimum intake recommendations for vegetables [5]. The nutrients provided by fruits and vegetables are essential for optimal growth and development, yet fruits and vegetables continue to be under-consumed by most children. The objective of this study was to determine if healthy fruit and vegetable (FV) snacks presented in child-friendly (CF) shapes were perceived as more fun and better liked by children, as compared to FV snacks offered in regular shapes
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