1
|
Harris JL, Romo-Palafox MJ, Gershman H, Kagan I, Duffy V. Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Toddlers: A Qualitative Study of Caregivers' Understanding of Expert Recommendations and Perceived Barriers to Adherence. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15041006. [PMID: 36839364 PMCID: PMC9966055 DOI: 10.3390/nu15041006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite expert recommendations, most toddlers consume sugary drinks and more sweet and salty snack foods than fruits and vegetables as snacks. Studies have examined toddler caregivers' reasons for providing sugary drinks, but few have examined the reasons for providing nutritionally poor snack foods. METHODS Researchers conducted focus groups in one low-income community to assess caregivers' familiarity, understanding and attitudes regarding healthy drink and snack recommendations for toddlers. A convenience sample of 24 caregivers of toddlers (12-36 months) participated. Researchers conducted a descriptive analysis of the participants' familiarity with recommendations and a thematic analysis of the barriers to adherence. RESULTS Most participants were familiar with recommendations, but many were surprised that some drinks and snack foods are not recommended, and most believed recommendations were not realistic. Common barriers to adhering to recommendations included beliefs about their child's innate preferences, family modeling and others' provision of drinks and snacks in and outside the home. Practical barriers included the higher cost and inconvenience of serving fruits and vegetables on-the-go. CONCLUSION Similar barriers limited caregivers' adherence to expert recommendations about healthy snacks and drinks for toddlers. Nutrition education interventions should provide practical strategies for addressing these barriers and enlist childcare and health providers to reinforce recommendations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Harris
- Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT 06103, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Maria J. Romo-Palafox
- Nutrition and Dietetics, Doisy College of Health Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Haley Gershman
- Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT 06103, USA
| | - Inna Kagan
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Valerie Duffy
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Maternal sociodemographic factors and their association with ultra-processed foods consumption among children. J Public Health (Oxf) 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10389-022-01809-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
|
3
|
Added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium intake from snacks among U.S. adolescents by eating location. Prev Med Rep 2021; 24:101630. [PMID: 34976683 PMCID: PMC8684031 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Added sugar, saturated fat, sodium intake higher from snacks eaten at home vs. away. Snacks eaten at home provided about one fourth of daily calories from added sugars. With few exceptions, snack types consumed were similar at home and away from home.
Snacking away from home is thought to contribute to excess intake of energy, added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium compared to snacking at home. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009–2016, we examined associations between location of snack consumption (at home or away from home) and added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium intake from food and beverage snacks in U.S. adolescents aged 12–19. We also compared top snack contributors to intakes of these nutrients by location of consumption. Nutrient intake (added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium) from food and beverage snacks was estimated by the average intake from two 24-hour dietary recalls, and location of consumption for each snack was reported by participants as at home or away from home. Adjusted mixed effects models were performed to examine associations between nutrient intakes and the location of consumption. Adolescents (n = 3,869) had lower intakes of added sugars (−5.20 g/day), saturated fat (−2.06 g/day) and sodium (−170.15 mg/day) from food snacks consumed away from home compared to at home (p < 0.0001). Similarly, adolescents had lower intake of added sugars (−2.74 g/day), saturated fat (−0.32 g/day) and sodium (−16.04 mg/day) from beverage snacks consumed away from home compared to at home (p < 0.0001). The top contributors to the target nutrients were similar irrespective of location. Taken together, our results demonstrate that adolescents consumed more target nutrients from snacks at home than away from home. Larger snack portion sizes and higher frequency of snacking at home may explain these findings and requires further study.
Collapse
|
4
|
Ce B, Kk D, Re B, Jo F. Occasions, purposes, and contexts for offering snacks to preschool-aged children: Schemas of caregivers with low-income backgrounds. Appetite 2021; 167:105627. [PMID: 34389378 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Snacking among preschool aged children is nearly universal and has been associated with overconsumed nutrients, particularly solid fats and added sugars (SoFAS). This research examined caregivers' schemas, or cognitive frameworks, for offering snacks to preschool-aged children. METHODS A qualitative design utilizing card sort methods was employed. Participants were 59 Black, Hispanic, and White caregivers of children aged 3-5 years with low-income backgrounds. Caregivers sorted 63 cards with images of commonly consumed foods/beverages by preschool-aged children in three separate card sorts to characterize snacking occasions, purposes, and contexts. The mean SoFAS content (kcal/100 g) of foods/beverages was evaluated by occasions (snacks vs. not-snacks), purposes, and contexts. RESULTS Just under two-thirds (38/63 food cards) of foods/beverages were classified as snacks with moderate to high agreement. Snacks were offered for non-nutritive (e.g., requests, rewards) and nutritive (e.g., hunger/thirst) purposes in routine (e.g., home, school) and social contexts (e.g., with grandparents). Snacks offered for non-nutritive purposes and in social contexts were higher in SoFAS than those offered for nutritive reasons and in routine contexts. CONCLUSIONS Caregivers of young children offered various types of foods/beverages as snacks, with higher SoFAS snacks given for non-nutritive purposes and in social contexts. Understanding of caregivers' schemas for offering snacks to young children may inform targets for obesity prevention and anticipatory guidance to promote the development of healthful eating behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake Ce
- University of South Carolina, Department of Health Promotion, Education and Behavior, 915 Greene Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Davison Kk
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition, 665 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02445, USA; Boston College School of Social Work, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, 115 McGuinn Hall, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - Blaine Re
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition, 665 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02445, USA; California State University, Long Beach, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA, 90840-0501, USA(1)
| | - Fisher Jo
- Temple University, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Obesity Research and Education, 3323 N. Broad Street, Suite 175, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vatanparast H, Islam N, Masoodi H, Shafiee M, Patil RP, Smith J, Whiting SJ. Time, location and frequency of snack consumption in different age groups of Canadians. Nutr J 2020; 19:85. [PMID: 32799862 PMCID: PMC7429728 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-020-00600-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The location and time of snack consumption may influence the composition, nutrient content and portion sizes of snacks. In this study, we aimed to determine and compare the time, location and frequency of snack consumption among different age groups of Canadians. Methods Nationally representative dietary data from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) were used (19,677 participants aged ≥2 years). Dietary data were obtained using 24-h dietary recalls. Participants were categorized according to the frequency of snack consumption (1 time, 2–3 times, ≥4 times). The snack consumption over 24 h was divided into four time periods: before 10 am, 10 am to 3 pm, 3 pm to 8 pm and 8 pm to 12 am. Meal and snack location was categorized as at home; someone else’s home; restaurants; and other. Results Snacking 2–3 times per day was the most common reported frequency (53.0%). Snacking at home (73.0%) was more prevalent than snacking away from home (27.0%). The most frequently reported time for snacking among Canadians was 3 pm to 8 pm (36.3%), and the least frequently reported time was before 10 am (8.1%). Snacking contributed to a high proportion of Milk and Alternatives (23.7%) and Vegetables and Fruit (23.4%) food groups and lesser proportions of Grain Products (15.4%) and Meat & Alternatives (9.4%) food groups among Canadians. Conclusions Home is the main location, 3 pm to 8 pm is the main time, and 2–3 times per day is the most common reported frequency for snacking. A full understanding of snacking behaviors is needed in order to develop targeted strategies to improve the quality of snack food choices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Vatanparast
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 4Z2, Canada. .,School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 4Z2, Canada.
| | - Naorin Islam
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 4Z2, Canada
| | | | - Mojtaba Shafiee
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 4Z2, Canada
| | - Rashmi Prakash Patil
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 4Z2, Canada
| | - Jessica Smith
- Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, General Mills, Minneapolis, MN, 55427-3870, USA
| | - Susan J Whiting
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 4Z2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moore AM, Vadiveloo M, Tovar A, McCurdy K, Østbye T, Benjamin-Neelon SE. Associations of Less Healthy Snack Food Consumption with Infant Weight-for-Length Z-Score Trajectories: Findings from the Nurture Cohort Study. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11112752. [PMID: 31766167 PMCID: PMC6893797 DOI: 10.3390/nu11112752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the impact of less healthy snack foods on weight trajectories during infancy. This secondary analysis of data from the Nurture cohort explored prospective associations of less healthy snack foods with infant weight trajectories. Pregnant women were recruited and, upon delivery of a single live infant, 666 mothers agreed to participate. Mothers completed sociodemographic and infant feeding questionnaires, and infant anthropometrics were collected during home visits at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Less healthy snack food consumption was assessed by asking how frequently baby snacks and sweets were consumed each day during the previous three months. Multilevel growth curve models explored associations of baby snacks and sweets with infant weight-for-length (WFL) z-scores. On average, mothers were 27 years old, 71.5% were non-Hispanic Black, and 55.4% had household incomes of ≤$20,000/year. Consumption of less healthy snack foods increased during infancy with a median intake of 3.0 baby snacks/day and 0.7 sweets/day between 10 and 12 months. Growth curve models showed that infants who consumed sweets >2 times/day had significantly higher WFL z-scores during the second half of infancy compared to infants who never consumed sweets. Less healthy snacks may contribute to the risk of obesity during infancy and promoting healthy snack food choices during this critical time is important.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy M. Moore
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, 41 Lower College Rd., Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(740)-591-7984
| | - Maya Vadiveloo
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, 41 Lower College Rd., Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Alison Tovar
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, 41 Lower College Rd., Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Karen McCurdy
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lower College Rd., Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Truls Østbye
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC 2914, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sara E. Benjamin-Neelon
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kachurak A, Bailey RL, Davey A, Dabritz L, Fisher JO. Daily Snacking Occasions, Snack Size, and Snack Energy Density as Predictors of Diet Quality among US Children Aged 2 to 5 Years. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11071440. [PMID: 31247959 PMCID: PMC6683020 DOI: 10.3390/nu11071440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Whether snacks help young children meet nutritional needs or merely contribute to excessive intakes is debated. This research evaluated associations of snacking with dietary quality among US preschoolers (two to five years, n = 4217) in the 2005–2016 National Health Examination Survey (NHANES). Snacking occasions, size, and energy density (ED) were estimated from two 24-hr dietary recalls. Diet quality indices included the 2015 Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015, 0–100), the mean adequacy ratio (MAR, 0–100) for five shortfall nutrients (vitamin D, calcium, fiber, potassium, and iron), and the mean % of recommended limits for added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Linear regressions included snacking parameters, demographics, and dietary reporting accuracy. Children had a mean HEI-2015 of 53.0, a MAR of 67.7, and intake of 121.4% of nutrients to limit. Daily snacking occasions were positively associated with HEI-2015 scores, whereas mean snack size and ED were negatively associated with HEI-2015 and MAR scores (all p < 0.05). Snack ED was positively associated with daily intakes of added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium (p < 0.001). These nationally representative findings reveal that more frequent, smaller, and less energy-dense snacks are associated with higher diet quality among US preschoolers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria Kachurak
- Center for Obesity Research and Education, College of Public Health, Temple University, 3223 N. Broad Street, Suite 175, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Regan L Bailey
- Department of Nutrition Science, College of Health and Human Services, Purdue University, 700 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Adam Davey
- Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware, 016 Carpenter Sports Building, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Lauren Dabritz
- Center for Obesity Research and Education, College of Public Health, Temple University, 3223 N. Broad Street, Suite 175, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Jennifer Orlet Fisher
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Obesity Research and Education, College of Public Health, Temple University, 3223 N. Broad Street, Suite 175, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
|