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Snacking patterns among 1,800 adults and children
A T Cross1, D Babicz, L F Cushman
1Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Children and adults snack frequently, primarily at home in the afternoon. Taste is prioritized over nutrition in snack selection, highlighting a need for targeted nutrition education.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Snacking is a common dietary behavior.
- Understanding snacking patterns is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate snacking frequency, timing, location, and desired snack qualities.
- To identify differences in snacking behavior between children and adults.
Main Methods:
- A survey questionnaire was administered to 1,510 adults via telephone interviews and 290 fifth and sixth graders via self-administration.
- Participants were drawn from a national random sample of adults and a nonrandom sample of students across diverse geographic locations.
Main Results:
- The majority of children snacked daily, with afternoons being the most common snacking time.
- Snacking predominantly occurred at home, and taste was a more significant factor than nutrition in snack choices.
- Fruits were popular but selected less often than other food categories during snack occasions.
Conclusions:
- Nutrition education messages should be tailored to address the contextual factors influencing snack choices, such as time, location, and perceived food qualities.
- Interventions could leverage the popularity of certain foods while emphasizing healthier options.