Snacking Patterns of Preschool-Aged Children: Opportunity for Improvement

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
11 August 2017

Abstract

Purpose: Dietary patterns established in childhood track into adulthood. Despite this, little research has explored preschoolers’ snacking. This study examined snacking patterns (frequency, quality, quantity) of preschool-aged boys and girls.
Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected on 52 children (23 males; 3.4 ± 1.1 years of age; BMI 16.1 ± 1.4 kg/m2) enrolled in the Guelph Family Health Study pilot. Parent-reported 3-day food records were analyzed for children’s snacking patterns including frequency (number of snacking occasions per day), quantity (percent energy from snacks) and quality (inclusion of food groups from Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide, macronutrient distribution, sugary and salty snacks). Mann–Whitney U tests examined sex differences in snacking patterns.
Results: Ninety-six percent of children snacked daily, consuming a mean of 2.3 ± 0.7 snacks per day. Snacks accounted for one-third of daily energy. 78% of boys’ versus 63% of girls’ snacks contained a food group (P = 0.016). Boys consumed significantly fewer sugary snacks (0.5 ± 0.4 vs 0.9 ± 0.6 snacks per day, P = 0.016), although the percent of snack calories from sugar for both boys and girls was high (group mean 37.2 ± 6.7%).
Conclusions: Nearly all preschoolers in this study snacked daily, and consumed a variety of snack foods. Boys’ and girls’ snacking preferences begin to diverge early in life. Preschool children should be encouraged to consume healthful snacks.

Résumé

Objectif : Les habitudes alimentaires établies au cours de l’enfance se maintiennent jusqu’à l’âge adulte. Malgré cela, peu de recherches ont examiné les habitudes en matière de collations des enfants d’âge préscolaire. La présente étude a exploré les habitudes en matière de collations (fréquence, qualité, quantité) de garçons et de filles d’âge préscolaire.
Méthodes : Des données transversales ont été recueillies auprès de 52 enfants (23 garçons; 3,4 ± 1,1 ans; IMC de 16,1 ± 1,4 kg/m2) inscrits au projet pilote de l’étude sur la santé familiale de Guelph. Les journaux alimentaires de 3 jours soumis par les parents ont été analysés afin de déterminer les habitudes des enfants en matière de collations, notamment la fréquence (nombre de collations par jour), la quantité (pourcentage d’énergie tiré des collations) et la qualité (inclusion de groupes alimentaires du Guide alimentaire canadien, distribution des macronutriments, collations sucrées et salées). Des tests U de Mann-Whitney ont été utilisés pour examiner les différences dans les habitudes de collations selon le sexe.
Résultats : Globalement, 96 % des enfants collationnaient chaque jour, consommant en moyenne 2,3 ± 0,7 collations par jour. Les collations fournissaient un tiers de l’énergie quotidienne. En tout, 78 % des collations des garçons comprenaient un groupe alimentaire, contre 63 % chez les filles (P = 0,016). Quoique le pourcentage de calories provenant de sucre fût élevé dans les collations des garçons et des filles (moyenne du groupe de 37,2 ± 6,7 %), les garçons consommaient significativement moins de collations sucrées (0,5 ± 0,4 vs 0,9 ± 0,6 collation par jour, P =0,016).
Conclusions : Presque tous les enfants d’âge préscolaire ayant participé à cette étude prenaient des collations tous les jours et consommaient divers aliments lors de ces collations. Les préférences en matière de collations des garçons et des filles commencent à diverger tôt pendant l’enfance. Il faudrait encourager les enfants d’âge préscolaire à consommer des collations saines.

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Financial support: This study was funded through the Health for Life Initiative at the University of Guelph.
Conflicts of interest: The authors report no known conflicts of interest.

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Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 79Number 1March 2018
Pages: 2 - 6

History

Version of record online: 11 August 2017

Authors

Affiliations

Joy M. Hutchinson BASc
Department Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
Jessica C. Watterworth BASc
Department Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
Jess Haines RD, PhD
Department Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
Alison M. Duncan RD, PhD
Department Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
Julia A. Mirotta MSc
Department Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
David W.L. Ma PhD
Department Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
Andrea C. Buchholz RD, PhD
Department Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
Guelph Family Health Study

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1. Temporal snacking patterns among Canadian children and adolescents
2. Food and Nutrient Intakes of Nova Scotian Children in Home and Childcare Environments

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