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

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Eating Behavior
• Interventions: Behavioral: Facial expression video

• Registration Number: NCT04988854
• Lead Sponsor: Aston University

Brief Summary

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

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2020-10-26
• Primary Completion: 2021-02-25
• Study Completion: 2021-02-25
• Status Verified: 2021-07
• Study First Submitted: 2021-07-26
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-07-26
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-07-26
• Study First Posted: 2021-08-04
• Last Update Posted: 2021-08-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 117

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.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Neutral Condition	Facial expression video	Children were exposed to a video of adult models eating a single piece of raw broccoli whilst showing a neutral facial expression (neutral video)
No-Food Control Condition	Facial expression video	Children were exposed to a video of adult models putting pens away whilst showing a neutral facial expression (no-food control video)
Positive Condition	Facial expression video	Children were exposed to a video of adult models eating a single piece of raw broccoli whilst showing a positive facial expression (positive video)

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Frequency of taste exposures to raw broccoli	5 minutes	Children's number of oral taste exposures to raw broccoli
Raw broccoli intake	5 minutes	Children's intake of raw broccoli (amount of grams consumed)
Willingness to try raw broccoli	5 minutes	Children's willingness to try raw broccoli

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Aston University; 🇬🇧 Birmingham, United Kingdom