Why Don't You Like That? Examining the Relationship Between Adult Eating Habits, Sensory Preferences, Thinking Patterns, and Age
| dc.contributor.advisor | Farthing, Gerald | |
| dc.creator | Cross, Abbi | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-11-23T17:29:12Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-11-23T17:29:12Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.date.submitted | April 2024 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Picky eating is a common behaviour among adults, yet the existing literature focuses primarily on children. Thus, little is known about the mechanisms behind picky eating in an adult population. This study investigated how sensory sensitivity and intuitive eating are related to picky eating among adults without prior diagnosis of an eating disorder. Participants (N = 142; 81.7% female) were recruited via university communication systems to anonymously complete an online survey. The survey included measures of picky eating (Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire), sensory sensitivity (Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire), intuitive eating (Intuitive Eating Scale 2), stress and anxiety (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale). Positive correlations were identified between picky eating and sensory sensitivity, anxiety, and stress, but not intuitive eating. Follow-up regression analysis revealed that when sensory sensitivity was included in the model other related factors (stress and anxiety) were unable to account for any additional variance in picky eating behaviour. This key finding suggests that sensory sensitivity is a primary factor in the presence and severity of picky eating behaviours among adults. These findings did not significantly differ between groups based on biological sex, age, ethnicity, or time lived in Canada which suggests that picky eating in adulthood is not restricted to a single population. This study expands our understanding of adult picky eating behaviour and makes suggestions for future research. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10388/16277 | |
| dc.rights | Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Canada | en |
| dc.rights.uri | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/ | |
| dc.subject | picky eating, adult population, sensory sensitivity, anxiety, stress | |
| dc.title | Why Don't You Like That? Examining the Relationship Between Adult Eating Habits, Sensory Preferences, Thinking Patterns, and Age | |
| dc.type.genre | Thesis | |
| thesis.degree.department | Psychology | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Honours | |
| thesis.degree.level | Undergraduate | |
| thesis.degree.name | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) |