Healthy Snack Preferences in Danish and Swedish School Children

Abstract: Well balanced nutrition in childhood is important for the growth and development of the child but it might also have long-term health implications. Several studies have identified a common concern that Danish and Swedish school children eat unhealthy snack food. Children’s food choices and food preferences are influenced by several factors, such as liking, food culture and the social environment. In order to promote healthy food choices there might be a need for palatable and nutritious snack products developed to suit children’s preferences and food culture. Conducted as part of a health promotion Danish project called “OPUS - New Nordic Diet”, this study aimed to examine 8-10 year old school children’s acceptance and preference for muesli bars composed of Nordic food ingredients and to compare Danish (n=100) and Swedish (n=100) school children’s acceptance and preferences for the muesli bars. A hedonic test using a smiley scale was conducted to measure the children’s sensory acceptance of five muesli bars varying in composition of whole grain cereals, dried berries, nuts and seeds. A preference rank-order of the five bars was also performed. Children’s degree of acceptance varied between the five samples. Most liked were the muesli bars based on kamut and pumpkin seeds, and oat and cranberries. Least liked was the muesli bar based on pumpernickel and buckthorn. Similar results were found in both countries. The preferences were highly influenced by the sensory characteristics of the bars. Above all, the flavour and taste of the bars tended to have an important influence on children’s preferences. The muesli bars have great potential to promote healthy food choices but further researches are needed to find out if they will be accepted even in the long term.