Exploring Consumers' Situational Snacking Behaviors Using a Mobile App: Longitudinal Cohort Study (FOODLOOP) Among...

Area of Science:

• Consumer Behavior
• Food Science
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• The traditional 3-meal eating pattern is shifting towards frequent snacking, a trend termed 'snackification'.
• Long-term snacking behaviors and their determinants remain understudied.
• Understanding snackification is crucial for public health and the food industry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate longitudinal, real-world snacking behaviors of Dutch millennials.
• To identify product-, context-, and consumer-specific determinants of snacking.
• To provide insights into the ongoing snackification trend.

Main Methods:

• A year-long study of 264 Dutch millennials using the Traqq mobile app.
• Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) principles were applied for data collection.
• Data gathered over 12 nonconsecutive days across four seasons.

Main Results:

• Dutch millennials consumed an average of 4.52 snacks per day, with 64% being healthier choices.
• Key drivers included liking, appetite, hunger, thirst, convenience, and pleasure.
• Snacking patterns varied by location (home), social setting (with others), time (afternoon), and season (spring).
• Millennials with children and those born between 1980-1990 snacked more frequently.

Conclusions:

• Situational determinants significantly influence real-world snacking behaviors.
• Snacking is not limited by specific motives, locations, social settings, or times.
• Mobile apps utilizing EMA are effective for collecting longitudinal snacking data.