Relationship Between Personality Type and Fruit and Vegetable Preference in Third and Fourth Grade Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between personality type and fruit and vegetable preferences of third and fourth grade children. A cross-sectional, quantitative survey study was used to gather information from parents or caregivers (N = 345) about their child’s fruit and vegetable preference, healthful eating practices (produced by the Healthy Eating Index, HEI), and personality. Multiple regression analyses revealed the combined effect of openness to experience, agreeableness and neuroticism was significant for the fruit preference (p <0.05), vegetable preference (p < 0.001), combined fruit/vegetable preference (p < 0.01), and the HEI (p < 0.01). These results indicate that children who are more “agreeable” and “open” may prefer healthful foods, like fruits and vegetables, and children who are more “neurotic” may have lower preferences for healthful foods. These results support the consideration of personality as a factor that influences the development of food preference.