Using Models' Facial Expressions to Enhance Healthy Eating Behaviour in Children

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study examined the effect of adults' facial expressions (FEs) whilst eating raw broccoli on children's acceptance and intake of a typically less preferred vegetable. Investigating others' FEs in isolation (e.g., without statements about food tastiness) will improve understanding of the role of FEs in modelling of eating and contribute to developing strategies to help children learn pleasure from nutritious foods. Based on previous literature, it was hypothesised that children's acceptance (willingness to try, and frequency of taste exposures) and intake of raw broccoli would be higher after exposure to models eating raw broccoli with positive FEs, compared to models consuming raw broccoli with neutral FEs, or a non-food control video.

Detailed Description
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Research has shown that seeing positive facial expressions towards food are effective for increasing children's desire to eat foods rated as disliked. However, the effect of adults' positive facial expressions whilst eating a raw vegetable on children's acceptance and consumption of nutritious foods that are less preferred (e.g., vegetables) remains to be established. This study examined the effect of unfamiliar adult models' facial expressions eating raw broccoli on children's acceptance and consumption of raw broccoli. Children aged 4-6-year-olds were randomised to watch a video of unfamiliar adult models eating raw broccoli with a positive or neutral facial expression, or a non-food control video. Children's acceptance (willingness to try and frequency of taste exposures) and consumption of raw broccoli was assessed. Data about parent and child characteristics was provided by parents.

Official Title
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Using Models' Facial Expressions to Enhance Healthy Eating Behaviour in Children

Conditions
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Eating Behavior

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Facial expression video


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Child must be aged 4-6-years old. Parent and child must be living in the UK. Exclusion Criteria: Children with food allergies, food intolerances, or medical conditions that affect eating behaviour were not eligible to take part.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 4 Years
Maximum Age: 6 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Children were randomly assigned to one of three conditions (positive, neutral or control)
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Positive Condition<br>Children were exposed to a video of adult models eating a single piece of raw broccoli whilst showing a positive facial expression (positive video) | Behavioral: Facial expression video<br>* Children are randomly allocated to one of three conditions: positive, neutral or no-food control, where they will watch either a positive, neutral, or no-food control video.<br>|
| Experimental: Neutral Condition<br>Children were exposed to a video of adult models eating a single piece of raw broccoli whilst showing a neutral facial expression (neutral video) | Behavioral: Facial expression video<br>* Children are randomly allocated to one of three conditions: positive, neutral or no-food control, where they will watch either a positive, neutral, or no-food control video.<br>|
| Experimental: No-Food Control Condition<br>Children were exposed to a video of adult models putting pens away whilst showing a neutral facial expression (no-food control video) | Behavioral: Facial expression video<br>* Children are randomly allocated to one of three conditions: positive, neutral or no-food control, where they will watch either a positive, neutral, or no-food control video.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Raw broccoli intake | Children's intake of raw broccoli (amount of grams consumed) | 5 minutes | 
| Willingness to try raw broccoli | Children's willingness to try raw broccoli | 5 minutes | 
| Frequency of taste exposures to raw broccoli | Children's number of oral taste exposures to raw broccoli | 5 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Children