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Updated: Mar 3, 2026
09:17
Psychophysical Tracking Method to Measure Taste Preferences in Children and Adults
Published on: July 16, 2016
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From the children's perspective: What are candy, snacks, and meals?
Elizabeth L Adams1, Jennifer S Savage1
1Center for Childhood Obesity Research, The Pennsylvania State University, 129 Noll Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802, United States; Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
Appetite
|May 4, 2017
Summary
Children often confuse candy and snacks. Key distinctions include taste, portion size, health perception, and time of day, crucial for understanding children's food choices.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Developmental Psychology
- Food Science
Background:
- Lack of consensus exists regarding the classification of candy, snack foods, and mealtime foods.
- Understanding children's perceptions is vital for accurate dietary assessment and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the characteristics elementary-aged children use to distinguish between candy, snack foods, and foods served at meals.
- To identify children's perceptions of these food categories.
Main Methods:
- 41 children aged 5-8 years sorted 39 food cards into 'snack' or 'candy' categories.
- Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore children's perceptions.
- Transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.
Main Results:
- Crackers and dry cereal were consistently classified as snacks; Skittles and solid chocolate as candy.
- Dessert-like foods (ice cream, cookies) showed varied classifications, with more children labeling them as candy.
- Qualitative themes included taste, texture, type, portion size, health perception, and time of day.
Conclusions:
- Children's categorization of foods like ice cream and cookies as either candy or snack highlights classification ambiguity.
- Clearer terminology and comprehensive tools are needed for accurate measurement of candy and snack consumption.
- Interventions should clearly differentiate candy, snacks, and meal foods to guide children's eating behaviors.
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