Adaptación de la escala hedónica facial para medir preferencias alimentarias de alumnos de pre-escolar

Abstract

The assessment of food acceptance during childhood is useful to provide educational guidelines. Scanty research has been done to validate hedonic facial scales for testing preschool age children. Sensory tests were conducted in 292 4 to 6 year old preschool age children with high (A) and low family income from a poor areas (B), using good tasting food (b) and food with modified flavor (d). Food preference was assessed to validate the three point hedonic facial scale designed to identify gender differences. By weighting the food rejected, a 10% amount was considered as a limit for food acceptance. Results showed that there is a correlation between food acceptance and level of satisfaction (Ab, p = 0,033; Ad, p < 0,001), but no correlation was detected with children from poor areas (Bb, p = 0,325 and Bd, p = 0,086). The hedonic facial scale must be improved in order to effectively assess preschool preferences. © 2008 Sociedad Chilena de Nutrición, Bromatología y Toxicología.