Table 3

Preferred and disliked food groups together with the top 3 of most often mentioned attribute categories based on the children's reasons for liking and disliking


4–5 years
7–8 years
11–12 years

Preferences
Soft, high-energy foods
Fruit
Composed dishes
Soft, high-energy foods
Fruit
Vegetable dishes
Composed dishes
Soft, high-energy foods
Fruit
Dislikes
Bitter vegetables
Bitter vegetables
Bland vegetables
Bitter vegetables
Sour vegetables
Bland vegetables
Basis for liking
1. Texture
2. Taste
3. Preference
1. Texture
2. Taste
3. Sweetness
3. Sourness
1. Taste
2. Texture
3. Preference for topping
Basis for disliking
1. Texture
2. Taste
3. Appearance
1. Taste
2. Sourness
3. Texture
1. Sourness
2. Bitterness
3. Negative (expected) experiences

Zeinstra et al. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2007 4:30   doi:10.1186/1479-5868-4-30