Association between snacking patterns, energy and nutrient intakes, and body mass index among school adolescents in Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

Snacking patterns among adolescence is important as it is associated with energy and nutrient intakes and consequently body mass index (BMI). The aim of the study was to evaluate the snacking patterns and also to assess whether snacking frequency is associated with energy and nutrient intakes, as well as BMI among the adolescents. Body mass index was assessed by anthropometric measurement with height and weight measurement. The snacking patterns were evaluated with questionnaire while dietary data was collected by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and one-day 24-hour diet recall. A total of 156 adolescents aged 13-15 years old from two secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur were involved in this study. Results showed that most respondents (48.7%) consumed snacks once a day. More than half (64.7%) of them reported having afternoon snack and the most common context for snacking were while watching television (59.6%). The most frequently consumed snacks included fruits, sweets, breads, milk, soft drinks and caffeinated beverages. The most common meal and snacking patterns in majority (23.1%) was composed of three main meals plus two snacks per day. There was significant difference between meal and snacking patterns and energy and macronutrients intakes (p<0.05). A total of 24.4% of daily energy intake came from snack consumption, while the energy contribution of protein, carbohydrate and fat intake from snacks were 18.7%, 26.6% and 23.7% of their daily energy intakes, respectively. More frequent snack intake contributes to higher energy intake. Moreover, the more frequent snack intake, the more carbohydrate intake from snack as compared to protein and fat intake. However, there was no significant association between snacking patterns and BMI. In conclusion, these findings indicated that snacking patterns was associated with energy and nutrient intakes but no association with BMI among the respondents. Keyword: Adolescents, Body mass index, Energy and nutrient intakes,Snacks