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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
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Concept Development and Use of an Automated Food Intake and Eating Behavior Assessment Method
Published on: February 19, 2021
Cognitive development and children's perceptions of fruit and vegetables; a qualitative study
Gertrude G Zeinstra1, Maria A Koelen, Frans J Kok
1Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands. Gertrude.zeinstra@wur.nl
Summary
Children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Developmental Psychology
- Consumer Behavior
Background:
- Most children do not meet fruit and vegetable intake recommendations.
- Child preference significantly impacts food intake, yet developmental aspects are under-researched.
- Understanding preference development is crucial for improving dietary habits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between children's cognitive development and their perceptions and preferences for fruits and vegetables.
- To investigate how children's reasoning, understanding of health, and taste preferences evolve with age.
- To examine the influence of social norms and parental strategies on children's food choices.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving 28 children aged 4-12 years, grouped by age bracket (4-5, 7-8, 11-12).
- Data collection through duo-interviews and focus group discussions using a structured guide with questions and game tasks.
- Exploration of children's perceptions, preferences, and reasoning regarding fruits and vegetables.
Main Results:
- Cognitive development correlated with increasing preference complexity and a shift in attribute importance from appearance/texture to taste.
- Children's understanding of health and basic tastes improved with age.
- Social norms, others' perspectives, and age-appropriate parental strategies emerged as significant factors.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive development parallels changes in fruit and vegetable preference determinants, health understanding, and parental strategies.
- Interventions to increase fruit and vegetable intake should consider these age-related developmental differences.
- Tailoring programs to cognitive development can enhance long-term healthy eating habits in children.
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