Recent research from the University of Oregon College of Education, published in Appetite, unveils that boys aged 8 to 10 perceive certain foods as gender-specific, impacting their dietary choices. Funded by federal resources, this study explored children's eating habits by providing a diverse lunch array, including sandwich components, chicken nuggets, fruits, vegetables, chips, candy, and assorted beverages. Instructions were to eat until satiation without time constraints, in privacy.
Findings indicate boys demonstrating high social desirability bias, or the tendency to conform to perceived social norms, showed a reduced intake of fruits and vegetables, contrasting with girls' consumption patterns. Nichole Kelly, the study's lead and an associate professor at the university, suggests early-formed opinions on "girly" and "manly" foods might deter boys from consuming what they consider feminine, fearing social backlash. Kelly emphasizes the role of adults in dismantling these stereotypes, advocating for a universal approach to food, irrespective of gender, and highlighting the influence of parental eating behaviors on children.
This pioneering study on social desirability bias in children's eating habits also found that both boys and girls with a heightened concern for social perception indulged more in unhealthy snacks. Kelly's team calls for more inclusive family eating practices to combat gendered food stereotypes and foster a healthier relationship with food among children.
Source: blackchronicle.com