Snacking Patterns in Children: A Comparison between Australia, China, Mexico, and the US

Abstract

Snacking is common in children and influenced by many factors. The aim of this study is to provide insight of both common and country-specific characteristics of snacking among 4-13 year old children. We analyzed snacking prevalence, energy and nutrient contributions from snacking across diverse cultures and regions, represented by Australia, China, Mexico, and the US using data from respective national surveys. We found that the highest prevalence of snacking was in Australia and the US (over 95%) where snacking provided one-third and one-quarter of total energy intake (TEI), respectively, followed by Mexico (76%, provided 15% TEI) and China (65%, provided 10% TEI). Compared to 4-8 year-olds, the consumption of fruits and milk was lower in 9-13 year-old children, with a trend of increasing savory snacks consumption in China, Mexico, and the US. The nutrient density index of added sugars and saturated fat was higher, especially in Australia, Mexico, and the US. Results suggested that snacking could be an occasion to promote fruit and vegetable consumption in all countries, especially for older children. Snacking guidelines should focus on reducing consumption of snacks high in saturated fat and added sugars for Australia, Mexico, and the US, whereas improving dairy consumption is important in China.

Keywords: children; energy; nutrients; patterns; snacking.

Figure 1

The distribution of snacking frequency among children from Australia, China, Mexico, and the US (%). Color of the bars represents different countries, blue for Australia, brown for China, grey for Mexico, and orange for the US. Notations of 4–8y and 9–13y refer to children 4–8 years of age and 9–13 years of age respectively.

Figure 2

Energy contribution of added sugars and saturated fat during snacking occasions for children in Australia, China, Mexico, and the US (%). Data presented as Mean ± SE. Panel (a) and (b) show the percentages of energy contribution of added sugar and saturated fat, respectively. Numbers in the middle of bars are the percentages. Color of the bars represents age groups, blue for 4–8 years-old and brown for 9–13 years-old.

Figure 3

Nutrient density index of dietary fiber and micronutrient at snacking occasion as proportion. Panels (a) and (b) are the nutrient density index of 4–8 year-olds and 9–13 year-olds, respectively. The red line refers to a nutrient density index equal to 1. A nutrient density index greater than 1 indicates that the intake of that nutrient at snacking occasions is relatively higher than the energy contribution. Color of the bars represents different countries, blue for Australia, brown for China, grey for Mexico, and orange for the US.