Determining How Small Changes in the Way Snacks and Meals are Presented Influence Their Intake Among 3-5 year Olds

Start Date: September 2007

ID #: 63148

Principal Investigator: Brian Wansink, PhD, MA

Co-Principal Investigator: David Just, PhD, MS

Organization: Cornell University

Funding Round: Round 2

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This project uses a series of field experiments in daycare centers to determine how small changes in the way snacks and meals are presented to children, such as pairing foods with attractive names, icons and/or cartoon characters, will change their intake. The study will examine how salience (awareness) and expectations influence the food choices and attitudes of 3-5 year old children, as well as what types of changes might be most effective and easily adopted by day care providers. This study targets multiracial/ethnic preschool-age children in community day care settings.

Keywords: Community setting, Food service, Fruits and vegetables, Head Start, Snacks

Focus Areas: Early Childhood, Food Marketing

Resource Type: Grant Summary

Race/Ethnicity: Multi-racial/ethnic

State: New York

Age Group: Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5)

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