Food neophobia mediates the variety but not the quality of food choices among adolescents

Eating habits become embedded during adolescence, a developmental stage where individuals increasingly assume responsibility for their dietary choices. Understanding the factors influencing these choices is essential for preventing unhealthy lifestyle patterns in adulthood. Food Neophobia (FN), a trait linked to limited dietary variety and quality as well as specific food preferences, is particularly important to investigate in adolescents. In this study, 200 adolescents (aged 14–17; 35 % girls and 65 % boys) participated in a Food Choice Task designed to evaluate their autonomous food choices across two dimensions: the willingness to select novel or unfamiliar products (reflecting dietary variety) and the inclination to choose healthy options (reflecting dietary quality). Foods depicted in images were categorised as familiar or unfamiliar based on a pilot study and as healthy or unhealthy based on whether they were inspired by the Mediterranean Diet (MD). Findings revealed that adolescents with higher levels of FN were less likely to choose unfamiliar foods. However, no significant differences were observed in the selection frequency between healthy and unhealthy foods based on FN scores. This may be due to the high familiarity and low arousal ratings associated with the foods in these categories, which could mask the effects of FN as no food reached a “warning threshold” that would induce rejection. To promote healthier eating habits among neophobic adolescents, it is recommended to provide simple, familiar food options that evoke minimal arousal, thereby supporting better dietary choices