Recovery from Malnutrition: Food Preference and Neophobia

Abstract

6 protein-malnourished rhesus monkeys were nutritionally rehabilitated by placing them on diets high in protein content. At 60 and 180 days following the initiation of the rehabilitation program, experimental animals and 4 high-protein dietary controls were tested on a preference task designed to determine reactions to foods containing differing quantities of protein and to novel stimuli. Each S was presented a choice of diets containing 2%, 3.5%, or 25% protein, as well as non-food objects. The results indicated that the aversion to novel stimuli (neophobia) and the preference for high-protein food previously reported in protein-malnourished monkeys did not persist following 180 days of rehabilitation. The results suggest that at least part of the behavioral syndrome associated with protein-calorie malnutrition may be improved by 6 mo. of nutritional rehabilitation.

Long-Term Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Undernutrition on Cannabinoid Receptor-Related Behaviors: Sex and Tissue-Specific Alterations in the mRNA Expression of Cannabinoid Receptors and Lipid Metabolic Regulators

“…However, our data indicated a lower preference for a novel highly-palatable food (chocolate mixture) than the familiar standard diet in RC females when they were exposed for 4 days. The lower acceptance to novel foods has been found in animals with protein deficiency from early gestational stages (Peregoy et al, 1972; Pettus et al, 1974) and could be associated with abnormal behaviors in adulthood related to anxiety (Peleg-Raibstein et al, 2012). Regarding the timing of restriction, protein deficiency during early pregnancy induces a less preference to a high-fat diet in the female offspring (Bellinger and Langley-Evans, 2005), whereas a high preference was obtained when restriction was applied through other gestational periods (Bellinger et al, 2004; Bellinger and Langley-Evans, 2005).…”

Exploring food neophobia in mice: unraveling behavior and implications for laboratory research

“…Food neophobia is studied in many fields, such as neuroscience, pharmacology, and psychology. Historical data about food neophobia were collected in animal models such as rats and monkeys, concluding that it influences food preferences and feeding behavior, which can be a useful tool to treat malnutrition and understanding this phenomenon in children (Mitchell et al, 1973;Pettus et al, 1974).…”