[Snacking food pattern among Chinese children and adolescents in twelve provinces]

To examine and characterize the snacking patterns of Chinese children and adolescents.

A total of 1195 subjects from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2011 were included in the study. A multistage, stratified, sampling design was used. 24-h dietary recall method was used to collect food intake information in3 consecutive days. Snacking patterns were analyzed using cluster analysis.

The highest consumption rates of snacks were fruits and products in 4-10 years old and 11-17 years old groups of urban and rural areas( 77%-84%). The major snacking food pattern of more than 90% children aged 4-10 years old in ubran and rual areas were fruits and dairy products. The major snacking food pattern of 82. 6% adolescents aged11-17 years old in ubran area were fruits products. And 47. 4% adolescents in rural area were beverage and fruits products.

Four types of snacking food patterns are identified in 4-10 years old and 11-17 years old groups of urban and rural areas intwelve provinces of China.