Repeated exposures and child centered nutrition phrases increases young children’s consumption and liking of lentils

Abstract Background Use of repeated exposure in fostering development of food preferences has been examined; however, other techniques such as adult verbal communication have not. Child centered nutrition phrases (CCNP) have been developed, but the efficacy of adults’ use of these developmentally appropriate, nutritionally sound messages to improve children’s intake and liking of lentils has not been evaluated. Objective To determine whether repeated taste exposure (RE) and RE + CCNP would increase young children’s liking and intake of lentils. Methods Children (3–6 y; n = 29) were offered lentils on 14 occasions (baseline, 12 exposures, and post). Taste preference and consumption were recorded and lentil consumption was measured to the nearest 0.1 g. A generalized linear model was used to assess the potential group (RE or RE + CCNP) by exposure interaction on the proportional intake (weight eaten divided by weight offered). A subsequent logistic regression analysis was carried out to estimate the change in the odds of children reporting liking in the RE + CCNP group compared to the RE group. Results Children’s consumption and liking of lentils increased with repeated exposure. Children exposed to CCNPs consumed a greater amount of lentils, although it was not statistically significant; however their reported liking at the beginning (p = 0.04) and intermediate (p = 0.02) time periods was more frequent than children who did not receive CCNP. Conclusions Repeated taste exposure resulted in increased liking and intake of lentils in young children, and the use of CCNP may facilitate children’s liking and intake of certain foods.