Parent reports of young children's sensory characteristics are related to children's food neophobia

Abstract

Neophobia in young children has been associated with lack of dietary variety and less than optimal nutrient intakes. Underlying characteristics that may predispose a child to neophobia have not been widely studied in typically developing children. In an intervention study designed to prevent early childhood obesity in rural Colorado (The Colorado LEAP Study), parental reports of children's oral sensory issues (Oral Sensory Profile; OSP) and children's neophobia (Negative Reactions to Food Scale; NEO) were assessed and child weight outcome (BMIzb) was measured at baseline. Preschool‐aged children (n=214; 120 girls, 94 boys; 56.1 ± 4.2 mo; BMIzb = 0.51 ± 1.4) and parents (n=161, 48 Hispanic [H], 113 NonHispanic White [NHW]) participated in data collection. No differences were noted in children's mean OSP or in NEO by, parents’ income or education, or sex of child; however Hispanic parents reported lower child OSP scores (OSPH = 29.7, OSPNHW=33.2, t=−2.8, p=.006). Parent ratings of children's OSP and NEO were significantly correlated (r−0.53= p<.001). That is, more atypical scores of children's oral sensory characteristics were related to higher neophobia ratings. Children's OSP and NEO were not related to their BMIzb scores. Children's oral sensory characteristics, in addition to mere exposure and development effects, may contribute to young children's food preferences and selection.Supported by USDA AFRI Grant #2010–85215‐20648