Dietary taste patterns in early childhood: the Generation R Study

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Pediatric Nutrition
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Dietary taste preferences significantly impact food intake and are shaped by early-life exposures.
• Limited data exists on the specific dietary taste patterns of young children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize dietary taste patterns in early childhood.
• To assess the tracking of these taste patterns between 1 and 2 years of age.
• To investigate associations between taste patterns and socioeconomic/lifestyle factors.

Main Methods:

• A population-based cohort study utilized a 211-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) at ages 1 and 2 years.
• Taste intensity values were derived from a food taste database and applied to FFQ items.
• Cluster analysis identified five distinct taste clusters: "neutral," "sweet and sour," "sweet and fat," "fat," and "salt, umami and fat."

Main Results:

• Energy intake from the "neutral" taste cluster decreased from 64% at age 1 to 42% at age 2.
• Intake from "sweet and fat," "fat," and "salt, umami, and fat" clusters increased significantly by age 2.
• Older maternal age, longer breastfeeding, and later complementary feeding introduction were linked to higher "neutral" cluster intake; higher child BMI correlated with "salt, umami, and fat" intake.

Conclusions:

• Children's dietary taste patterns become more varied and intense between ages 1 and 2, approaching adult levels.
• Maternal sociodemographic factors and feeding practices are key determinants of early childhood dietary taste patterns.
• These findings highlight the critical role of early nutrition in shaping long-term taste preferences.