Preschoolers' mid-afternoon snack intake is not affected by lunchtime food consumption

The purpose of this study was two-fold: to determine the contribution of mid-afternoon snack intake to total daily energy intake and to examine the effect of lunchtime eating on subsequent snack intake in preschool children. Lunch energy intake was manipulated by varying the energy content of the milk beverage served at lunch. Mid-afternoon snack consumption in 135 children, aged 18-66 months, offered chocolate-flavored or plain milk at lunch. Nutritious mid-morning snacks, lunches and mid-afternoon snacks were served on a rotating schedule 2 days per week for 12 weeks. The children were allowed to consume as much as they wanted of any food items served at lunch or snacktime, including the beverages. Although the children consumed significantly more energy during lunchtime meals at which sucrose-sweetened chocolate milk was served, their intake of the mid-afternoon snack was not affected by the type of milk beverage served or the energy consumed at lunch. All children consumed between 20 and 25% of their daily energy requirement at lunch and between 8 and 22% of their daily energy requirement during the mid-afternoon snack. Snacks are an important source of energy for young children, especially those under three years of age.