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Parents of picky eaters can encourage their children to eat more nutritionally diverse diets by introducing more color to their meals, according to a new study that found colorful food fare is more appealing to children than adults. Specifically, food plates with seven different items and six different colors are particularly appealing to children, while adults tend to prefer only three items and three colors (Acta Paediatrica, January 2012).
"What kids find visually appealing is very different than what appeals to their parents," said Brian Wansink, PhD, of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. "Our study shows how to make the changes so the broccoli and fish look tastier."
Researchers presented 23 preteen children and 46 adults with full-size photos of 48 different combinations of food on plates that varied by number of items, placement of entrée, and organization of food.
"Compared with adults, children not only prefer plates with more elements and colors but also their entrees placed in the front of the plate and with figurative designs," said co-author Kevin Kniffin, PhD. "While much of the research concerning food preferences among children and adults focuses on taste, smell and chemical aspects, we will build on findings that demonstrate that people appear to be significantly influenced by the shape, size and visual appearance of food that is presented to them."
Other co-authors were Mitsuru Shimizu, PhD, of Cornell, and Francesca Zampollo, a doctoral student at London Metropolitan University.
For more information about adding color and variety to children's plates, visit http://foodpsychology.cornell.edu/outreach/child-plate.html.
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