Wardle Jane, Cooke Lucy
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
Br J Nutr. 2008 Feb;99 Suppl 1:S15-21. doi: 10.1017/S000711450889246X.
Omnivores have the advantage of a variety of food options but face a challenge in identifying foods that are safe to eat. Not surprisingly, therefore, children show a relative aversion to new foods (neophobia) and a relative preference for familiar, bland, sweet foods. While this may in the past have promoted survival, in the modern food environment it could have an adverse effect on dietary quality. This review examines the evidence for genetic and environmental factors underlying individual differences in children's food preferences and neophobia. Twin studies indicate that neophobia is a strongly heritable characteristic, while specific food preferences show some genetic influence and are also influenced by the family environment. The advantage of the malleability of human food preferences is that dislike of a food can be reduced or even reversed by a combination of modelling and taste exposure. The need for effective guidance for parents who may be seeking to improve the range or nutritional value of foods accepted by their children is highlighted.
杂食动物有多种食物选择的优势，但在识别安全可食用的食物方面面临挑战。因此，毫不奇怪，儿童相对厌恶新食物（新食物恐惧症），相对偏爱熟悉、清淡、甜的食物。虽然这在过去可能有助于生存，但在现代食物环境中，这可能会对饮食质量产生不利影响。这篇综述探讨了儿童食物偏好和新食物恐惧症个体差异背后的遗传和环境因素的证据。双胞胎研究表明，新食物恐惧症是一种遗传性很强的特征，而特定的食物偏好显示出一些遗传影响，同时也受到家庭环境的影响。人类食物偏好具有可塑性的好处在于，通过示范和味觉接触相结合，可以减少甚至扭转对某种食物的厌恶。强调了为那些可能寻求改善孩子所接受食物的种类或营养价值的父母提供有效指导的必要性。
