An interesting study featured last year in the journal Acta Paediatrica  provides insight as to why some kids are picky eaters. It could be as simple as the way the food is positioned on the plate.

“While much of the research concerning food preferences focuses on taste, smell and chemical aspects,” explained the researchers, “we will build on findings that demonstrate that people appear to be significantly influenced by the shape, size and visual appearance of food that is presented to them.”

This study evaluated the role of food aesthetics on 23 children age 5 to 12 and 46 adults age 26 or older. Study participants were shown pictures of foods presented differently, so smell was not an issue. There were six categories:
1. The number of items and the mixture of colors
2. The number of different foods
3. The position of the main food item on an oval and on a round plate
4. A crowded versus an empty plate
5. An organized versus a disorganized plate
6. Food arranged in a figure design (e.g. heart shape) versus casual design

The kids, who were participating in summer camp, were shown the images and asked: “Which is the picture you like the most?” The adults were shown the same pictures via an online survey and were ask to rate their preferred option.

Compared to the adults, the kids liked a wide variety of foods and colors. An ideal plate for the kids had seven different food items and six different colors. The adults favored only three different colors with three different foods. Kids were also drawn to the meals in which the main food component was in the lower right segment of the round plate and lower left segment of the oval plates. In addition, kids preferred foods arranged in a figure design versus a casual design; whereas adults preferred the casual design. Both kids and adults did not like crowded plates.

The researchers said their study demonstrates that food presentation preferences for kids are different than those of adults, and this information may be used to not only help picky eaters, but also encourage kids to eat more healthy foods.

“To ascertain that children actually prefer a more diverse and colorful diet, compared to adults, could help to facilitate the adoption of more nutritionally diverse eating habits in children,” explained Matthew Baral, ND, and Jessica Moore, in their commentary about this study in the Natural Medicine Journal. “To introduce brightly colored fruits and vegetables, for example, at a young age, when [they are] apparently most visually desired, is to encourage lifelong healthy nutritional practices.”