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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
09:17
Psychophysical Tracking Method to Measure Taste Preferences in Children and Adults
Published on: July 16, 2016
Color preference and food choice among children
L M Walsh1, R B Toma, R V Tuveson
1Department of Home Economics, California State University, Long Beach 90840-0510.
The Journal of Psychology
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Children prefer red, green, orange, and yellow foods, with color significantly influencing their choices. This finding held true across different ages, sexes, and food types, highlighting color as a key factor in children's food preferences.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Consumer Behavior
- Food Science
Background:
- Children's food preferences are influenced by various factors.
- The role of visual cues, such as color, in shaping these preferences requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of food color on children's food choices.
- To determine if color preference is independent of age, sex, or food type.
Main Methods:
- A counterbalanced, factorial, analysis-of-variance design with repeated measures was employed.
- 120 children (aged 5 and 9, male and female) participated.
- Children's choices among three candy types in red, green, orange, and yellow were recorded.
Main Results:
- A significant main effect for color was observed, indicating distinct preferences.
- Children preferred foods in the order: red, green, orange, and yellow.
- Age, sex, and food type did not interfere with the color preference findings.
Conclusions:
- Food color is a significant determinant of children's food choices.
- The observed color preferences (red > green > orange > yellow) are robust across different demographic and food variables.
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