KUMJ | VOL. 24 | NO. 3 | ISSUE 96 | JULY-SEPTEMBER, 2026

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Childhood Food Neophobia among Pre-school Children in Selected Pre-schools
Shrestha B, Karki S

Abstract:
Background Food neophobia is a hidden problem globally, affecting young children’s nutrition, as it is a fear of eating new foods and avoiding trying unfamiliar products. Objective To identify the prevalence of preschool children towards childhood food neophobia and its associated factors. Method A cross-sectional study design was used among 186 preschool children of age 3 to 6 years. The study period was from 5th May 2021 to 2nd November 2022. Pre-schools were selected conveniently and samples were selected by systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected by structured self-administered questionnaire, which was completed by either mother or father of a child. Prevalence of food neophobia was based on the Child Food Neophobia Scale questionnaire adapted by Kozioł- Kozakowska et al. Height and weight were taken to determine children’s nutritional status by Body Mass index and it was computed based on percentile tables according to age and sex given by World Health Organization. Data analysis was done by STATA version 13. Associations between variables were analyzed by linear regression and multiple linear regression was done for adjusting potential confounders. Result The mean age of children was 4.56 years ± 1.02 years. The prevalence of childhood food neophobia was medium level (74.73%). There was a significant association between the childhood food neophobia score and janajati ethnicity after adjusting the potential confounders (p-value =0.027 at 95% CI 0.15 to 2.47) and pressure to eat of parental strategies of socio-environmental factors after adjusting potential confounders (p- value =0.004 at 95% CI 0.07 to 0.39). Conclusion The study showed the medium level of childhood food neophobia, which is significantly associated with Janajati ethinicity and pressure to eat of parental strategies of socioenvironmental factors. This study promotes to adopt healthy food behavior and to make the parents understand the importance of child feeding practices to prevent negative attitudes towards food, leading to growth and development of the child as per developmental milestone.
Keyword : Food Neophobia, Parents, Preschool Children, Prevalence