Location influences snacking behavior of US infants, toddlers and preschool children

Emma F Jacquier,Denise M Deming,Alison L Eldridge

doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5576-5

Abstract

BackgroundCompare at-home and away-from-home snacking patterns of US infants and young children.MethodsA secondary analysis was conducted using nationwide, cross-sectional dietary survey data from the US Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2008. The sample included infants (6–11.9 months, n = 505), toddlers (12–23.9 months, n = 925), preschool children (24–47.9 months, n = 1461). Weighted population descriptive statistics (means and standard errors) were calculated using SAS. Significance was determined at P ≤ 0.05. The main outcome measures of the analyses were the percent of children consuming snacks by location (at home, away from home) and snacking period (morning, afternoon and evening), energy and food groups consumed during snacks.ResultsSnacking at home was more prevalent than snacking away from home (toddlers, 73% vs 27%; preschoolers, 67% vs 33%). Away-from-home snacks provided about 50 additional calories per day for toddlers (346 vs 298 kcal/day, P ≤ 0.05) and preschoolers (371 vs 326 kcal/day, P ≤ 0.05) versus snacks consumed at home. Caregivers made similar snack choices for toddlers and preschoolers (milk/milk products, fruit/juice, grains and sweets) but differed in frequency of consumption by location. Among toddlers, milk/milk products were the most frequently consumed snacks at home (66%), while sweets were the top snacks consumed away from home (69%). Among preschoolers, sweets were the top snacks both at home (60%) and away (83%).ConclusionsLocation is an important factor influencing snacking patterns of young children and should be considered when developing feeding guidelines. This data may be of use in the upcoming development of dietary guidelines in the U.S. for the population aged 0–2 years.

Highlights

Compare at-home and away-from-home snacking patterns of United States (US) infants and young children
Further data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–12 showed that 96% of children and Jacquier et al BMC Public Health (2018) 18:725 adolescents consumed some food or beverage between meals [13] showing that snacking habits continue into later childhood
The proportion of daily energy from snacks remains relatively constant into later childhood with approximately 25% of daily energy coming from snack foods and the choice of snack foods are less nutritious in older versus younger children [14, 15]

Summary

Introduction

Compare at-home and away-from-home snacking patterns of US infants and young children. Dietary habits formed in childhood may impact later food intake behaviors, body weight outcomes [5] and longer term health [6,7,8]. It is important, that caregivers of babies and young children help them to develop healthy dietary behaviors very early in life. Further data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–12 showed that 96% of children and Jacquier et al BMC Public Health (2018) 18:725 adolescents consumed some food or beverage (including water) between meals [13] showing that snacking habits continue into later childhood. The nature of the relationship between snacking and overweight/obesity among children and adolescents remains equivocal [20]

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Conclusion