Low adherence to traditional dietary pattern and food preferences of low-income preschool children with food neophobia

Abstract

AbstractObjective:To associate dietary patterns and food neophobia in low-income preschoolers.Design:This was a cross-sectional study using a semi-structured questionnaire for socio-demographic data, birth conditions and breast-feeding history. Food neophobia was assessed using an adapted version of the Child Food Neophobia Scale. Children’s nutritional status was assessed using BMI-for-age and height-for-age Z-scores. Dietary patterns were estimated using a semi-quantitative FFQ through exploratory factor analysis. Multiple linear regression was used to test for an association between food neophobia and dietary pattern adherence.Setting:Philanthropic childhood education schools in Aracaju, an urban community in northeastern Brazil, between July and December 2017.Participants:Two hundred fourteen children aged 3–6 years and their parents.Results:The percentages of low/medium and high food neophobia among preschoolers were 85·9 % and 11·2 %, respectively. Children with high food neophobia more frequently consumed ultra-processed foods rich in sugars (snacks, filled and unfilled cookies and sweets), as well as protein-rich foods (white meat, cheese and yogurt). Three dietary patterns were identified (traditional, snacks and school snacks). Children with a high level of neophobia had lower adherence to traditional dietary patterns.Conclusions:A high level of food neophobia among socially vulnerable preschoolers is an eating behaviour related to unhealthy eating and is associated with the poorest diet in typical foods.