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

Aston University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Eating Behavior

Treatments: Behavioral: Facial expression video

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04988854

#1688

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

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.

Enrollment: 117 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 4 to 6 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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117 participants in 3 patient groups

Positive Condition

Experimental group

Description:

Children were exposed to a video of adult models eating a single piece of raw broccoli whilst showing a positive facial expression (positive video)

Treatment:

Behavioral: Facial expression video

Neutral Condition

Experimental group

Description:

Children were exposed to a video of adult models eating a single piece of raw broccoli whilst showing a neutral facial expression (neutral video)

Treatment:

Behavioral: Facial expression video

No-Food Control Condition

Experimental group

Description:

Children were exposed to a video of adult models putting pens away whilst showing a neutral facial expression (no-food control video)

Treatment:

Behavioral: Facial expression video