000			01562pab a2200169 454500
008			180718b1998 xxu||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
100			_aCashdan, Elizabeth
245			_aAdaptiveness of food learning and food aversions in children
260			_c1998
300			_ap.613-32
520			_aThis paper uses an evolutionary perspective to explain features of food learning in human children. Data from Western parents indicate that (1) children are least picky about foods when they are between one and two years of age, (2) vegetables are frequently refused by children, and (3) children have a tendency to eat foods one at a time rather than mixed together. Adaptive explanations for these patterns are suggested, together with supporting evidence from studies of the ontogeny of human and non-human primate diet choice. The following arguments are made: (1) age difference in receptiveness to new foods is consistent with the existence of a sensitive period for learning about food; (2) since leaves and other non-fruit plant parts often contain toxic secondary compounds and young animals are less able to detoxify these chemicals than are adults, an initial dislike of vegetables may function to protect young children against the risk of poisoning; (3) a preference for easily identifiable foods eaten separately may be an evolved preference that aids in identification of the food and the consequences of eating it. - Reproduced
650			_aChildren
650			_aFood
650			_aDietetics
773			_aSocial Science Information
909			_a40780
999			_c40780 _d40780