In this section we review research studies on the potential social and environmental factors underlying food rejections during the sensitive period of food neophobia and picky/fussy eating. These factors are important because the very act of eating is a socially grounded behavior (see e.g., Shutts, Kinzler, & Dejesus, 2013). Food consumption is socially and culturally shared with congeners, and is based on previous experiences and previously acquired habits in the food domain. We first address
the role played by the child's previous experiences (antecedents)
and immediate environment (namely, parental practices).
We then focus on the role played by the social context on
food behavior, focusing on social facilitation effects.