University students' food preference and practice now and during childhood

The aim of the cross sectional survey is to investigate the link between food preference and practice in early adulthood and recollections of their childhood food preferences by their mother. Six hundred and eighty four undergraduate students whose mothers were primary caregivers from 4 colleges at the Selcuk University in Konya, Turkey were selected. Early food preferences, present food preferences, early eating practices, and present eating practices were measured. A positive relationship between early parental controls of food preferences and food practices in late adolescence was found in this research. Parents appear to influence students' food preference and practice. Educators must focus on improving home food availability and parent support and modeling. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.