As childhood obesity rates continue to climb, it is increasingly important to understand factors affecting the development of food preferences in children. Genetic sensitivity to the bitterness of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) may serve as a marker for children’s food preferences. In early childhood, children sensitive to PROP (tasters) have shown greater liking and intake of sweet foods than children who are PROP non-tasters. This study investigated differences in dietary intake of sweet foods among pre-adolescent children classified by PROP status. Subjects were initially studied as preschoolers, and re-contacted via direct mailings as part of this follow-up study on the role PROP taster status in diet and childhood obesity. To date, 54 children (11.04 + 0.3 yrs) were classified as non-tasters (NT), medium tasters (MT) or super-tasters (ST) using a filter paper method, and gave three diet recalls (2 weekdays and 1 weekend day), which were averaged. Food groups were assigned by NDS-R diet software, and then grouped by taste category. Results were analyzed by analysis of covariance, controlling for age. NT (n = 7) consumed more discretionary sugars (table sugar, syrup, honey, jelly, jam, sweet sauces) (p<0.01) and sweet-fat snacks (cakes, cookies, pies, pastries, ice cream) (p<0.05) than both MT (n=34) and ST (n=13). In contrast, ST consumed more candy than NT and MT (p<0.05). However when all sweets were grouped together, NT consumed more sweets than MT and ST (p=0.01). There were no differences among the groups in sweet beverage intakes. The preliminary results indicate that during pre-adolescence preferences for sweet and sweet-fat foods expressed by taster children in early childhood begin to change to a more adult-like pattern where tasters show lower preferences for sweet foods. Changing preferences for sweets have important nutritional implications since excess intake can lead to overweight or obesity.