Do children favor snacks and dislike vegetables? Exploring children’s food preferences using drawing as a projective technique. A cross-cultural study

To avoid the rising spread of childhood obesity and preserve resources within planetary boundaries, healthy sustainable eating habits consumption adequate amounts fruits vegetables should be encouraged. Children's food preference was found to an important determinant for choice consumption. The aim this study explore children's preferences using drawing as a projective technique in terms compare patterns Denmark Lithuania. In total 484 children, aged between 8 13 years old, participated (147 337 Lithuania). Participants were asked fill questionnaire answer questions about their daily intake fruits, vegetables, snacks draw favorite meal afterward. Sociodemographic age, gender, parents' employment, family composition also included questionnaire. Fruits, highly-processed animal-based foods not large part most preferred composition. Favorite meals' varied among children both countries different products from separate groups. Vegetables more likely present meals together with meat products. Girls had expressed vegetable than boys. Boys Lithuania relatively foods, while Danish girls such drawings, might considered positive eating. However, still encouraged young consumers. Cultural gender differences creating interventions marketing strategies promoting