Familiarizing with Toy Food: Preliminary Research and Future Directions

• Published in: Journal of nutrition education and behavior 2012-11, Vol.44 (6), p.639-643
• Main Author: Lynch, Meghan, MA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Brand preferences; Child; child development; Children; Content Analysis; Feeding Behavior - psychology; Female; Food; food and nutrition programs; food behavior; food choices; food groups; Food Preferences - psychology; Fruits; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; grains; Health Behavior; Humans; Interaction; Internal Medicine; kitchens; Male; meat; milk; Nutrition education; Parent-Child Relations; Parents; Play and Playthings; Preferences; preschool children; Psychology, Child; qualitative; qualitative analysis; Role Playing; social influences; Toys; Vegetables; Video Technology; Videotape Recording
• ISSN: 1499-4046; 1878-2620; 1708-8259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2011.01.012

Abstract Objective A qualitative content analysis of children and parents interacting with toy food in their homes in view of recommendations for developing healthful food preferences. Methods YouTube videos (n = 101) of children and parents interacting in toy kitchen settings were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Toy food was categorized under 5 food groups, and interactions were compared to literature on developing healthful food preferences in children in real life. Results The most popular food group represented by the toys was Extras, followed by Fruits/Vegetables, Meats/Alternatives, Grains, and Milk/Dairy. Many parents were also found to encourage behaviors not conducive to healthful food preference development in children. Conclusions and Implications Future research needs to determine whether familiarization with toy food influences children's real-life food preferences. Nutrition education programs for young children and parents could greatly benefit from future research on this approach. Exploring novel ways of developing children's food preferences is well warranted.