Assessing factors influencing food choice among 10-16-year-old schoolboys. A pilot study with a stacking box method

A new «stacking box» method to study food choice is presented. Participants are required to select pictures of foods from a large selection according to differing instructions. The applicability of the stacking box methodology to increase understanding of factors affecting food choice decisions among schoolchildren was investigated. Forty-four school boys from three different age groups were instructed to choose foods for breakfast according to different instructions; for example, «Make up a breakfast you usually eat» and «Make up a breakfast your parents would like you to eat». They were also asked for reasons behind their food choices. Milk, margarine, bread and breakfast cereal choices given in response to differing instructions were compared two by two using a non-parametric method. Evident systematic components in disagreement of choices could be adequately explained. Aspects of taste, availability and habit dominated among reasons for choices for a usually eaten breakfast.