We conclude that culture and age may be important determinants of taste preferences in children younger than 10 years of age. Fat and sweet taste preferences show a positive association with weight status in European children across regions with varying food cultures. The propensity to consume foods with a high content of fat and sugar is associated with indicators of high TV consumption that in turn is more prevalent in overweight and obese children. These associations are based on a cross-sectional analysis, and conclusions about causality of the associations should thus be drawn with great caution. Nevertheless, the data presented are in agreement with the hypothesis that preference for sweet and fatty foods parallels a higher propensity to consume these foods. The positive longitudinal association of an unhealthy food pattern characterised by sweet and fatty foods with an unfavourable weight trajectory in children provides evidence for a causal relationship. Thus, it seems plausible that food preferences of children are shaped by cultural, behavioural and environmental factors including exposure to TV and other media. Ultimately, unfavourable preferences may result in less favourable food patterns which then lead to negative health outcomes like obesity.