Imitation of idol who eats vegetables.

Most children in the Netherlands do not meet the recommended daily amount of
fruit and vegetable intake. Four- to six-year-olds on average eat about 44
grams of vegetables and 115 gram fruit per day despite of the recommended
amount of 100 to 150 grams of each. The percentage of children with inadequate
consumption of vegetables is in this age range close to 100%, and 70% for
fruit. Inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables may potentially lead to
inadequate eating behavior later in life and is shown to be to related
increased susceptibility for chronic diseases.

It is important to develop strategies to increase children's intake vegetables,
because of the shown health benefits of long-term intake vegetables. The
current study aims at to reveal the effect of using a role model and convivial
eating to increase vegetable consumption, taking advantage of the natural
imitation behaviour of children (age of the children: 4 to 6 years).

This study is part of the EU FP7 Medium-Scale Collaborative Project
*Determining factors and critical periods in food habit formation and breaking
in early childhood: a multidisciplinary approach* (HabEat).

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effect of imitation of a
role model and the effect of convivial eating on the intake of a vegetable in
children aged 4 to 6 years of age.

The aim in a more long-term perspective is to develop strategies to increase
vegetable consumption and contribute to childrens' health.

There are two experimental groups which will be compared:
multicompontent group (n=50); multi-component imitation:
Week 1: a movie is shown of a role model eating the target vegetable in an
enthusiastic manner. The children do not eat the vegetable at that moment.
Week 2 to 5: the children eat the target vegetable together while watching the
movie of the role model

single-component group (n=50); single-component imitation:
Week 2-5: the children eat the target vegetable together while watching the
movie of the role model

In addition there is a baseline group (n=25); no imitatie. This group is
included in the study with the mere aim to monitor intake of the target
vegetable in a non-experimental setting. This group will be presented with the
target vegetable at the beginning and the end of the research period.

The amount eaten will be measured by weighing the bowls with the vegetables
before and after the snack moment.

In addition, a choice test will be performed on three occasions to get an idea
of the liking of the target vegetable. Four vegetables will be presented in a
pre-, mid- and post choice test of which each child can choose one vegetable
which they would like to eat. The amount eaten will be measured as well.

There are no risks involved in participationin this study; vegetables are
offered that fit a normal healthy diet and are available in supermarkets.
Children with allergy for the selected vegetable are excluded from the study
and an alternative will be offered.

The burden is negligible as the children are free to decide to eat or not eat
the offered snack during the snack moment at school. From experience it is
known that children like to participate in studies like the suggested study.