Exploring Strategies to Optimise the Impact of Food-Specific Inhibition Training on Children’s Food Choices

Food-specific inhibition training (FSIT) is a computerised task requiring response to energy-dense foods within reaction-time game. Previous work indicates that FSIT can increase the number of healthy (relative foods) children choose, and decrease calories consumed from sweets chocolate. Across two studies, we explored impact variations (e.g., different signals, delivery modes) on children’s food choices time-limited hypothetical food-choice task. In Study 1, varied Go/No-Go signals be emotive (happy vs. sad faces) or neutral (green red signs). One-hundred-and-fifty-seven were randomly allocated emotive-FSIT, neutral-FSIT, non-food control Children participated in groups 4–15. No significant effects observed (all values p > 0.160). Healthy-food decreased over time regardless condition ( < 0.050). The non-significant could explained by lower accuracy No-Go trials than previous possibly due distraction group-testing environment. 2, compared computer-based (using signals) app-based against with sample 206 children, but this worked one-on-one experimenter. Children’s was higher study. FSIT-computer group chose significantly more at post-training M = 2.78, SE 0.16) 2.02, 0.16, 0.001). FSIT-app did not differ either other 2.42, both comparisons Healthy 0.001) change (both 0.300) supporting evidence may have beneficial effect choices. Ensuring perform high using quiet environments avoiding group-testing) important for impacts though. Future research should continue explore methods optimising as healthy-eating intervention children.