Food neophobia in the context of a varied diet induced by a weight reduction program in massively obese adolescents

Abstract

Previous studies in humans have shown that short to middle-term pre-exposure to multiple foods can reduce the negative response to novel foods (neophobia). In order to explore the effects of a long-term exposure to varied foods on food neophobia, we studied a population of obese adolescents observed in a longitudinal protocol in which the multiple food experiences are induced by a residential weight reduction program (WRP) that encourages the consumption of a wide variety of foods. Seventy-two massively obese adolescents (22 boys) filled the food neophobia scale (FNS, [Pliner, P., & Hobden, K. (1992). Development of a scale to measure the trait of food neophobia in humans. Appetite 19, 105-120]) and an ad hoc food familiarity and liking questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of the program (mean duration: 8.9 months). Their scores were compared to those of a control group of 51 adolescents (14 boys) tested within a similar period. FNS results show a decrease of food neophobia, without significant difference between the control group and the WRP subjects, although only WRP have encountered new foods experiences as attested by the familiarity and liking results. Methodological considerations, concerning the characteristics of the participants, the nature of the multiple food exposure and the food neophobia measurements, will be proposed to explain differences among studies.

Food Neophobia in Young Adults: Genetic Architecture and Relation to Personality, Pleasantness and Use Frequency of Foods, and Body Mass Index—A Twin Study

“…There is evidence that the trait of food neophobia is rather stable, although behavioral food neophobia, dependent on a particular situation, can be more transient (McFarlane and Pliner, 1997;Meiselman et al 1999;Pliner and Salvy 2006;Rigal et al 2006;Reverdy et al 2008;Mustonen and Tuorila 2010). The scale used in the present study, the FNS, measures the trait food neophobia rather than the behavioral food neophobia (Pliner and Hobden 1992;Pliner and Salvy 2006).…”

Food neophobia and willingness to try non-traditional foods for Koreans

“…Therefore, more data on food neophobia among Koreans is needed. Also, the development of the FNS has promoted an increase in research on food neophobia but has only focused on the relationship between appetite and food aversion (Arvola, Lähteenmäki, & Tuorila, 1999;Midkiff & Bernstein, 1985;Nordin, Broman, Garvill, & Nyroos, 2004;Raudenbush, Schroth, Reilley, & Frank, 1998) or on eating behavior related to adolescents and children (Dovey, Staples, Gibson, & Halford, 2008;Galloway, Lee, & Birch, 2003;Rigal et al, 2006). There is very little published research on product development or food service areas.…”

Food neophobia levels of Lebanese and American college students

“…Studies by Pliner, Pelchat, and Grabski (1993) and Loewen and Pliner (1999) have shown the positive effect of prior exposure to good-tasting novel foods on food neophobia. Rigal et al (2006) reported an increase in mean food liking scores of a population of obese adolescents enrolled in a 9-month residential weight program (WRP) that encouraged the consumption of a wide variety of foods.…”