Summary
This systematic review synthesises evidence on how prenatal and early postnatal taste exposures influence later food acceptance and taste preferences in infants and young children. The authors examined studies investigating associations between maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation, and infant responses to foods, as well as early complementary feeding practices and subsequent dietary patterns. The review contributes to understanding of the developmental origins of food preferences and potential dietary plasticity during critical early-life windows.
Regional applicability
The findings are applicable to infant nutrition guidance and complementary feeding recommendations in the United Kingdom and other developed contexts, though the transferability depends on the geographic distribution and socioeconomic contexts of studies included in the review.
Key measures
Taste acceptance, food preferences, dietary intake, sensory responses to flavours in infants and children following early taste exposure
Outcomes reported
A systematic review examining the relationship between in utero and early infant taste experiences and subsequent taste acceptance or food preferences in later childhood.
Topic tags
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