Results indicated that presenting foods to preschool children as rewards or presenting them noncontingently paired with adult attention produced significant increases in preference. Effects persisted for at least six weeks following termination of the presentations. No consistent changes in preference were noted when the foods were presented in a…

Described is an experimental study to assess relationship between stated preferences and consumption patterns in preschool children. Correlation was considerably higher than the relationship reported for adults. Familiarity and sweetness factors accounted for 74 percent of the variance in the preference data. (Author/SMB)

To investigate the effects of instrumental eating on food preferences, 45 preschool children were assigned to either instrumental eating or control conditions. Preference data obtained before and after a series of snack sessions (consisting of milk beverages) demonstrated a significant negative shift in preference for the instrumental groups.…

Assesses preschool children's preferences for eight snack foods and tests procedures to modify preferences for certain foods by having children sort foods according to self-determined categories. Enhanced preferences for target foods generalized to other foods in the same category only for children using semantic sorting categories. (Author/DB)

Describes four assessments which preschool children were given to indicate preference for a set of fruits. The research demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining preference data directly from young children. (Author/SA)

Investigates 57 three- to five-year-old children's sharing of preferred and nonpreferred food with same-sex peers as a function of (1) whether or not the children had previous experience as recipients and (2) whether or not the child was shared with during the experience as a recipient. (HOD)

The influence of peer models' food selections and eating behaviors on preschoolers' food preferences was investigated. Thirty-nine preschool children's preferences for vegetables were assessed. (Author/MP)

This discussion focuses on elements of children's immediate experience that influence their food preferences. Some evidence suggests that there may be sensitive periods early in life that are critical for the formation of food preferences and aversions. Additionally, the familiarity and the sweetness of foods appear to be important determinants of…