ORCID

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundTaste exposure in infancy is known to predict food preferences later in childhood. This is particularly relevant in children with cows’ milk allergy who consume a substitute formula and/or a cows’ milk exclusion (CME) diet early in life. This prospective study aimed to show whether there is a long‐term effect of consuming a substitute formula and CME diet on taste preferences and dietary intake.MethodsChildren were predominantly recruited from two large birth cohort studies in the UK. Two groups were recruited: an experimental group of children who had consumed a CME diet during infancy and a control group who had consumed an unrestricted diet during infancy. Parents completed a food neophobia questionnaire and an estimated prospective food diary. Children completed a taste preference test and their growth was assessed.ResultsOne hundred and one children with a mean age of 11.5 years were recruited (28 CME and 73 controls). Children in the CME group had a significantly higher preference for bitter taste than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There were significant differences between the groups with respect to the intake of some micronutrients, including riboflavin, iodine, sodium and selenium. Food neophobia did not differ between groups. Some 28% of the CME group were overweight/obese compared to 15% of the control group; however, this difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionsConsuming a substitute formula and/or a CME diet in infancy has a long‐term effect on the preference for bitter taste. Differences exist with respect to the intake of some micronutrients, but not macronutrients. There was a nonsignificant trend towards being overweight and obese in children in the CME group.

DOI

10.1111/jhn.12387

Publication Date

2016-12-01

Publication Title

Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Volume

29

Issue

6

First Page

786

Last Page

796

ISSN

0952-3871

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

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