social influences

• bandura explains social influence in terms of modelling and imitation and the same concept is thought to be relevant with food preferences. Children are thought to acquire their food preferences through observing role models such as their parents and their choices. the parents may also manipulate the availability of certain foods, whether this is a reward such as sweets or take-away, or because certain foods are seen as having health benefits such as reduced fat or sugar
• Children may also be influenced by role models if they appear to be rewarded from consuming the food (by showing enjoyment or being praised by others), this modelling may be an adaptive function to ensure children eat food that is safe without this modelling, toddlers may attempt to eat dangerous foods.
• media influences can also shape food preferences, as children get older and more independent of their parents food choices, other models outside of family and peers may become more important. Television advertising is one example in with various adverts for foods that are generally considered 'unhealthy'. Such adverts often have fun related themes and products promoted by models that viewers can identify with.