Predicting schoolchildren’s willingness to eat insect-based snacks: effects of information provision psychological and cognitive traits

Abstract Disgust and neophobia limit insect-food acceptance, while education has variable effects on entomophagy attitudes. This study examined how food neophobia, disgust, educational information, entomophagy awareness, and eating behaviour profiles influence Italian children’s (8–10 years old) acceptance of insect-based foods and how these traits moderate educational effects. Children participated in two in-person lectures and completed questionnaires before and after, featuring images of buffalo worms, crickets, and protein bars and chocolates containing these insects. Results showed that educational information increased willingness to eat insect-based foods. Children low in food neophobia and disgust were more likely to accept these products, and educational information reduced the negative influence of neophobia, particularly for cricket protein bars. These findings indicate that targeted education can partially offset reluctance. It offers practical guidance for snack producers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to promote sustainable, nutritious eating in children by addressing psychological barriers and fostering openness to novel foods.