Adolescent meal patterns: grazing habits in the west of Scotland

Concern is frequently expressed that young people are increasingly taking a 'grazing' approach to eating, rather than eating 'proper meals', and that this may have undesirable nutritional and social consequences. As part of a wide ranging study of health and well-being, 1,009 fifteen year olds in the Central Clydeside Conurbation were questioned in 1987 about their eating patterns. They reported an average of 5.5 eating occasions per day (2.7 main meals and 2.8 snacks), these eating occasions being concentrated towards the end of the day. Over 40% reported eating crisps, confectionery or biscuits at least once a day, a much higher proportion than among a cohort of 35 year olds in the same study. We discuss the implications for nutrition education and suggest that the picture is not as bad as is sometimes painted.