Can food attitudes predict healthier food choice among school-age children?
(R2022-111773)

AUTHORS

David Skala, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics & Business; Ruzica Brecic, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics and Business; Dario Cvenček, University of Washington/ Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research was to examine whether children’s attitudes and behaviors can predict food choice (i.e. consumption)? In current research, children's food attitudes, TV watching habits and behavioral food choice were tested. In total, 150 children (80 girls and 70 boys) aged 6 to 9 years participated in this study. The results demonstrated that children had positive attitudes toward healthy food. The effect of age was significant and negative, meaning that younger children made healthier food choices. Moreover, children who did not watch much TV on weekends, self-reported positive food attitudes towards healthy foods, which, in turn, positively predicted healthier food choices.