Sensory profile of picky eaters among college female students

Sayaka Nagao-Sato; Yui Kawasaki; Rie Akamatsu; Yoko Fujiwara; Mika Omori; Masumi Sugawara; Yoko Yamazaki; Satoko Matsumoto; Shigeru Iwakabe

doi:10.1016/j.appet.2023.106518

Sensory profile of picky eaters among college female students

Appetite. 2023 Jun 1:185:106518. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106518. Epub 2023 Mar 1.

Authors

Sayaka Nagao-Sato¹, Yui Kawasaki², Rie Akamatsu³, Yoko Fujiwara⁴, Mika Omori⁵, Masumi Sugawara⁶, Yoko Yamazaki⁷, Satoko Matsumoto⁸, Shigeru Iwakabe⁹

Affiliations

¹ Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1, Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8610, Japan. Electronic address: g2170508@edu.cc.ocha.ac.jp.
² Institute for SDGs Promotion, Organization for Social Implementation of Sustainability, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8610, Japan. Electronic address: kawasaki.yui@ocha.ac.jp.
³ Natural Science Division, Faculty of Core Research, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8610, Japan; Institute for Human Life Science, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8610, Japan. Electronic address: akamatsu.rie@ocha.ac.jp.
⁴ Natural Science Division, Faculty of Core Research, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8610, Japan; Institute for Human Life Science, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8610, Japan. Electronic address: fujiwara.yoko@ocha.ac.jp.
⁵ Human Science Division, Faculty of Core Research, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8610, Japan; Institute for Education and Human Development, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8610, Japan; Department of Psychology, Tohoku University, Aoba, Kawauchi 27-1, Sendai, 980-8576, Japan. Electronic address: omori.mika@ocha.ac.jp.
⁶ Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Human Studies, Shirayuri University, 1-25, Midorigaoka, Chofu, Tokyo, 182-8525, Japan. Electronic address: msugawara@shirayuri.ac.jp.
⁷ Department of Social Education and Welfare, Tokyo Kasei University, 1-18-1, Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8602, Japan. Electronic address: yamazaki-y@tokyo-kasei.ac.jp.
⁸ Institute for Education and Human Development, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8610, Japan. Electronic address: matsumoto.satoko@ocha.ac.jp.
⁹ College of Comprehensive Psychology, Ritsumeikan University, 2-150, Iwakura-tyo, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka, 567-8570, Japan. Electronic address: siwakabe@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp.

PMID: 36863532
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106518

Abstract

Picky eaters are at risk of an unbalanced diet, which is critical for women of reproductive age. A sensory profile, which is a potential factor in picky eating, has not been well researched. This study assessed the differences in sensory profile and dietary intake according to the picky eating status among female Japanese undergraduate college students. Cross-sectional data were obtained from the Ochanomizu Health Study conducted in 2018. The questionnaire included items regarding demographic characteristics, picky eating status, sensory profile, and dietary intake. Sensory profile was assessed using the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile questionnaire, and dietary intakes were calculated using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Among the 111 participants, 23% were picky eaters and 77% were non-picky eaters. The age, body mass index and household status did not differ between the picky eaters and non-picky eaters. Being a picky eater was associated with higher scores on sensory sensitivity and sensation avoiding, and lower thresholds for taste and smell, touch, and auditory stimuli than being a non-picky eater. Of the picky eaters, 58% and 100% were at a high risk for folate and iron deficiencies, respectively, compared to 35% and 81% of non-picky eaters. Nutrition education for picky eaters in reproductive age to increase vegetable dishes comfortably in their diet is suggested to prevent anemia during their future pregnancy.

Keywords: Female college student; Nutrient deficiency; Picky eating; Sensory profile.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Body Mass Index
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diet*
Feeding Behavior
Female
Food Preferences*
Humans
Students