Children’s food choice

Abstract

Given free choice in a school cafeteria 12‐year‐olds were found to prefer foods which were high in fat and sugar. Their knowledge regarding differences between healthy and less healthy foods was better than their knowledge of specific nutrient‐rich foods. However, while this knowledge is a prerequisite to understanding the role of diet to health, knowledge alone has been insufficient to bring about healthier dietary choice. In the long term if positive dietary change is to be achieved, the role of factors such as social and economic background in modifying food choice must be considered.