Sensory-specific satiety and the influence of variety on snack intake in school-aged children

Food intake is influenced by the variety of foods available. While studies in adults indicate this effect is driven by sensory-specific satiety (SSS; the relative hedonic decline in a food as it is eaten), exploration of SSS in children has been limited. In this cluster randomized crossover study, across 2 days we served a 2-course snack to 31 children (6–12 y) attending local summer camps. The first course was 525 ml of either grapes (0.86 kcal/g; n = 14) or pretzels (3.9 kcal/g; n = 17), and the second course was 525 ml of the same food (low variety) or the other food (high variety). Before and after the first course, the children rated their liking and wanting of 6 foods (the food eaten in the first course + 5 others). Across participants, more was consumed in the high compared to the low variety condition (all p < 0.01). Liking and wanting for the eaten food declined more than for the uneaten foods (both p < 0.03). However, the effects of variety and SSS were smaller for the children who ate the grapes first compared to the pretzels, perhaps because they ate a greater weight of the low-energy dense first course (p < 0.01). While we found that children experience SSS, the findings highlight the complexity of satiation. Properties of the available foods (e.g. variety and energy density) likely affect the relative influence of factors such as decreased food appeal and physical satisfaction on the termination of eating.