A wealth of cross-sectional studies found a link between sleep deprivation and food-related outcomes like energy intake and BMI. Recent experimental studies suggest that this link is causal. However, the mechanisms through which sleep deprivation influences intake remain unclear. Here, we tested two prevailing hypotheses: that sleep deprivation leads to 1) increased food reward sensitivity and 2) decreased food-related self-control. In a within-subject study (n = 60 normal-weight females), we compared outcome measures under normal sleep and partial sleep deprivation conditions. Our outcome measures were 1) proxies for food reward sensitivity - liking of high and low energy foods, 2) binary food choices ranging in level of self-control conflict, and 3) intake of high and low energy foods. Eye-movements during food choice were measured with an eye-tracker to gain insights in implicit food choice processes. Food reward sensitivity outcomes showed a lower liking of low energy foods after partial sleep deprivation. More high energy foods were chosen after partial sleep deprivation independent of the level of self-control conflict. Intake of high energy foods was higher in the partial sleep deprivation condition. Lastly, the number of gaze switches between high and low energy foods, an implicit measure of conflict in choice, was lower in the high-conflict trials after sleep deprivation than after a normal night sleep. To conclude, the increased intake of high energy foods after sleep deprivation may be driven by a decreased liking of low energy foods, rather than an increased liking of high energy foods. Further, sleep deprivation may affect self-control conflict detection as indicated by a lower number of gaze switches between food options.
Liking of bread as a function of perceived sensory properties in combination with product information was studied. Four bread types were selected for descriptive sensory analysis and, in a consumer test, 480 consumers scored them for liking when information was provided concerning: flour (origin from conventional versus organic farming system), health effect (cholesterol reducing effect versus no information), and information that was intended to produce a neophobic reaction (admixed amaranth versus no information). The consumers also answered a questionnaire related to the same issues. Samples scored high for liking were affected differently by information than were less well-liked samples. Information about organic production had a greater positive effect on liking than did other types of information, especially for the less well-liked products. The four bread types showed significant differences in liking when information was not skewed in any particular direction (balanced design).
Five, quite different white pan breads were chosen from twelve samples using Principal Component Analysis. Milling, baking, sensory assessment and sample preparation are described in [Kihlberg, I., Öström, Å., Johansson, L., & Risvik, E. (2006). Sensory qualities of plain white pan bread – influence of farming system, year of harvest and baking technique. Journal of Cereal Science, 43(1), 15–30]. A consumer acceptance test was conducted on 184 consumers of organic products in two age groups, 30 and >30 years. The selected breads were tasted and scored for liking. Subsequent to the tasting, the consumers responded to a questionnaire including a complete set of the 56 Schwartz values and 10 statements related to issues of specific interest. Results confirmed the main groups of the near universal structure of values suggested by Schwartz and revealed different segments among organic consumers. Consumption frequency was also related to the values. Consumer groups differed significantly in values and in liking of breads. Among the most liked breads were both organic and conventional breads. The majority of consumers considered that organic food tastes better than conventional and that consumption of organic bread should increase. Moreover, about 50% declared that they would not buy an organic food product that was appreciably higher in price than a corresponding conventional food product.
Texture has an important role in children’s acceptance and rejection of food. However, little is known about individual differences in texture preference. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a child-friendly tool to explore individual differences in texture preferences in school-aged children from six European countries (Austria, Finland, Italy, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom). Six hundred and ten children aged 9–12 years and their parents participated in a cross-sectional study. Children completed the Child Food Texture Preference Questionnaire (CFTPQ) and a Food Neophobia Scale (FNS). The CFTPQ consisted in asking children to choose the preferred item within 17 pairs of pictures of food varying in texture (hard vs. soft or smooth vs. lumpy). Children also evaluated all food items for familiarity. Parents completed the CFTPQ regarding their preferred items, a food frequency questionnaire for their child, and provided background information. For a subset of children, a re-test was done for the CFTPQ and FNS to assess reliability. The results showed that the tool was child-friendly, had high test-retest reliability, and identified country-related differences as well as segments of children with different texture preferences (hard- vs. soft-likers). These segments differed in consumption frequency of healthy foods, and in food neophobia.
Twenty flours from 16 different barley varieties cultivated in 1990 and 1992, and a Swedish reference flour, were fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum Al to sour doughs. Barley breads (40% barley/60% wheat flour) from each flour type were baked with and without an admixture of barley sour dough in order to investigate how the sour dough admixture would affect the baking properties. A trained panel carried out sensory evaluation by conventional profiling on breads made from three of the barley varieties and the Swedish reference flour, made with and without sour dough admixture. The barley varieties influenced both the sour dough properties and the properties of the barley bread. The PH of bread with sour dough ranged from 4.6 to 4.8 as compared to 5.4 to 5.6 in. bread without sour dough. The acidity of the breads with sour dough ranged from 4.1 to 5.0 mi NaOH/10 g bread crumb as compared to 2.4 to 3.6 in breads without sour dough. In 14 of the twenty bread types an addition of sour dough lowered the bread volume. Breads with a sour dough admixture scored higher for total taste and acidulous taste than breads without sour dough. The beta-glucan content of the flours had no significant influence on the sour dough or the sensory characteristics of the bread, except for the breadcrumb colour. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd
Food neophobia (FN) has been extensively explored, especially in children. However, very few studies have compared this food behavior in children from different countries. Considering the clear diversity between European countries in feeding practices and food consumption, it is important to deepen the understanding of cross-national differences in child FN. The aim of this study was to explore and compare FN in five European countries (Finland, Italy, Spain, Sweden and UK) using a food neophobia scale specifically designed for children. Five hundred and twenty-nine children (54% girls) aged 9–12 years were recruited from schools in each country and were asked to complete the Italian Child Food Neophobia Scale (ICFNS, Laureati, Bergamaschi et al., 2015), which was translated into each respective language. Parents (n ≈ 300) completed a food consumption frequency questionnaire for their child, and provided background information. Reliability of the tool was assessed through internal consistency and temporal stability. Total internal consistency was 0.76. When calculated by country, internal consistency was satisfactory (Cronbach’s alpha >0.70) for all countries. FN was negatively associated to fruit and vegetable consumption, liking of wholegrain biscuits, and timing of introduction of semi-solid food. There were small but significant cross-national differences in FN with British and Swedish children being the most neophobic and significantly higher in FN than Finnish children, who were the most neophilic. Results indicate that the tool can be successfully used in all the tested countries with children in the age range of 9–12 years. The tool can be useful to measure the effects of interventions aiming at changing food behaviors, such as reducing FN, among children.
Rye breads, especially those with a chewy texture and sour flavor, have shown several health benefits but their consumption is lower among younger consumers than older. This study explores liking of commercial rye bread in younger and older consumers in relation to socio-demographics, childhood bread-eating habits and food choice motives. Further, sensory attributes are explored in relation to the consumers’ concepts of a rye bread and healthiness in bread.
Nine commercial rye breads, previously profiled by descriptive sensory analysis were tasted by 225 younger (18–44 years) and 173 older (45–80 years) consumers. Internal preference mappings by principal component regression for each age group showed low liking for rye bread with a chewy texture and sour flavor in the younger consumer group. Based on the preference mappings, the age groups were separately clustered. Associations between clusters and background variables were studied using discriminant partial least squares regression. Liking of rye bread with a chewy texture and sour flavor in the younger consumer group was associated with e.g., more education, females, childhood bread consumption and the food choice motive health. In the older consumer group, it was related to e.g., more education and childhood bread consumption. Partial least squares regression 1 showed that the combination of sensory attributes such as a light color and soft texture led to the perception of bread being less healthy and not a rye bread, and a dark brown color, chewy texture, sour and bitter flavor to the perception of a healthier bread and rye bread.