Visual Perception Cues, Emotional Responses, and Children's Health: A Systematic Review

Main Article Content

Xiaoqin Tan
Shureen Faris Abdul Shukor
Soh Kim Geok

Abstract

Children’s well-being and health have received significant social attention. Given the increasing prevalence of food neophobia, obesity, and related health challenges in children, it is critical to understand the importance and urgency of raising children to choose healthy foods.This review explores the complex relationships among children's visual cues, emotion, liking and food choices, providing important insights into potential health interventions. A systematic search was conducted using three databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies published up to December 25, 2023 (from the start of each database) were included. To ensure that the studies were of good quality, the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used for assessment. 17 eligible studies that used different research methods, six used a within-subject design, one used a discrete choice experiment, one used a pretest-post test design, four used mixed methods research, three used observational studies, and one used a longitudinal design. These studies examined topics ranging from visual perception to emotional response, with six studies examining all three aspects. This study investigated the complex effects of children's visual cues, emotions, and food choices, thereby providing important insights into potential health interventions. The shape of the food elicited a more positive emotional response than unvarying shapes. Several studies have also shown that children not only have preferences for the food itself but also consider factors such as the type, shape, and color of the food. Future research should draw new conclusions to guide relevant interventions aimed at promoting healthy food choices among children.

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How to Cite
Xiaoqin Tan, Shureen Faris Abdul Shukor, & Soh Kim Geok. (2025). Visual Perception Cues, Emotional Responses, and Children’s Health: A Systematic Review. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, 31(1), 105–116. https://doi.org/10.53555/kuey.v31i1.9058
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Author Biographies

Xiaoqin Tan

1Department of Integrated Design, Faculty of Design and Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang Selangor, Malaysia, 

Shureen Faris Abdul Shukor

Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Design and Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang Selangor, Malaysia,

Soh Kim Geok

Department of Sports studies, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang Selangor, Malaysia,