Investigating the efficacy of parent-led repeated taste exposure, incentives and modelling interventions at increasing children's acceptance of a disliked vegetable

Abstract

Previous research suggests that the use of modelling and non-food-based incentives may be effective at increasing tasting, and consequential liking and acceptance, of a previously disliked food through a process of repeated exposure. Although successful school-based interventions using these methods are being rolled out across the country, such programmes can be costly and exclusive. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of parent-led programmes aimed at increasing children's acceptance of a disliked vegetable. These are based on the same central mechanisms of repeated exposure, modelling and incentives but run within the home environment. A total sample of 115 children aged 2–4 years, recruited from toddler groups across Leicestershire, were randomly allocated to one of four intervention groups or a no-treatment control group. The four 14 day interventions were: repeated exposure; incentives and exposure; modelling and exposure; or modelling, incentives and exposure. Children in all of these conditions were exposed to daily offerings of a vegetable that they'd previously rated as not liking. Liking and consumption were measured pre and post intervention, allowing comparison of changes between and across the groups. Preliminary analyses revealed that there were significant increases in post-intervention consumption and liking in the modelling and exposure as well as the incentives modelling and exposure conditions, compared to a no-treatment control group. Further development of parent-led interventions based around modelling and offering incentives may be a cost efficient way to increase children's vegetable consumption.