Do healthy,child-friendly fruit and vegetable snacks appeal to consumers? A field study exploring adults’ perceptions and purchase intentions

The majority of children in the U.S. do not consume enough fruits and vegetables (FV). Children’s liking of and preferences for FV are consistent predictors of intake, as are factors such as availability and accessibility, which are largely under the control of parents and caregivers. This study was designed to examine parents’ and caregivers’ current purchasing habits regarding child-friendly (CF)-shaped foods and pre-cut produce; determine their sensory perceptions of CF-shaped vs. regular-shaped pre-cut FV; and, to ascertain their willingness to pay slightly more for CF-shaped FV compared to fresh, whole produce. Healthy, CF-shaped fruit and vegetable snacks were developed by cutting FV into CF shapes (butterfly, chick, flower, teddy bear). Participants (n = 298) were adults, the majority of whom (66.1%) reported having children at home. Participants who reported having children at home consistently recognized CF-shaped fruit and vegetable samples as CF-shaped foods, while 64.4% of participants with children at home perceived regular-shaped pre-cut fruit and vegetable samples as CF-shaped foods. Participants rated CF-shaped samples as more visually appealing than regular-shaped samples, (p < 0.0001) and were 34% more likely to select CF-shaped samples. Female gender, the presence of children in the home, and frequent self-reported purchase of pre-cut produce were also significant positive predictors of visual appeal. Taste and texture ratings were not consistently significantly higher for CF-shaped fruit and vegetable samples. CF shape predicted higher willingness to pay extra for the fruit and vegetable product (p = 0.0057), as did frequent purchase of pre-cut produce and CF-shaped foods. Adults, particularly females and individuals with children in the household, find CF-shaped FV highly visually appealing and are willing to pay slightly more for these foods. Healthy, ready-to-eat, CF-shaped fruit and vegetable snacks may be a promising marketing strategy to help increase fruit and vegetable intake among children.     

自然元素在中国城市公园儿童游戏空间设计中的应用调查研究

为儿童营造健康且有益于其成长的环境已成为当下儿童友好型城市建设的必要部分。城市中儿童游戏空间的设计多种多样,但国内外研究者和实践者都意识到"接触自然"对儿童的成长和发展等各个方面均有重要意义,这也得到了欧美国家相关理论和实证研究的证实。儿童游戏空间中的自然元素毋庸置疑成为城市公园设计的重要因素。基于国外理论与实践研究成果,本文旨在探索中国城市公园内儿童游戏空间中自然元素的应用情况,选取北京、上海、广州、成都4个城市中87个城市公园的儿童游戏空间进行调研,尝试弥补国内儿童友好型城市中游戏空间的空白,以期提升未来儿童友好型城市中公共活动空间的营造质量。研究发现,国内儿童游戏场地具有普遍自然性不足、形式较为单一等问题,本文对此提出了相应的策略,建议采用丰富的自然材料来提高游戏场地的自然性,同时应尽快推出相关设计导则或规范。     

基于儿童友好理论的游戏空间设计方法初探

将儿童友好理念与儿童认知发展科学相结合,对影响住区游戏空间适宜度的设计原则进行分析,使用层次分析法研究适宜度评价的合理性并加以完善,提出六项针对住区户外游戏空间的设计改造对策。