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Background : Snacking, especially on items like chips, chocolates, and soft drinks, is widespread among young people, contributing to obesity due to poor snacking habits and high consumption of unhealthy snacks. Frequent snacking leads to higher energy intake, lower fruit and vegetable consumption, and increased intake of sugary beverages and fast food. Overconsumption of processed snacks high in fats, sugars, salt, and artificial ingredients can result in obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Trends show a rise in energy-dense, nutrient-poor snacks, influenced by factors like stress ,cravings, and sleeplessness, which contribute to poor nutrition and meal skipping. Snacking driven by hunger tends to be healthier, while habitual or non-hungry snacking leads to unhealthy food choices and weight gain. Snacking while distracted can decrease satiety and increase later food intake.
Environmental factors, such as school policies and access to unhealthy snacks, significantly influence adolescents' snacking habits. Vending machines in schools offering unhealthy options correlate with increased consumption among adolescents. Worldwide, many children and adolescents are skipping meals in favor of snacks, with the main calorie sources being sweets, high-sodium snacks, and sugar-sweetened beverages. This shift has led to rising obesity rates among adolescents.
Defining "snacks" versus "meals" is important for understanding dietary patterns and making dietary interventions. This review aims to clarify these definitions, motivations behind snacking, and common food choices to identify areas for dietary improvement.
Objective: The primary objective of this study is to determine how often adolescents consume snacks on a daily basis. By collecting data on the number of times participants eat snacks throughout the day, the study aims to identify prevalent snacking patterns within this age group. Understanding the frequency of snacking can provide insights into potential nutritional gaps or excessive calorie intake that may contribute to various health issues such as obesity and poor dietary habits. This objective seeks to highlight the extent to which snacking is integrated into adolescents' daily routines and to establish a baseline for further analysis of their eating behaviors.
This secondary objective focuses on identifying the specific types of snacks that adolescents prefer and consume regularly. By categorizing snacks into different types, such as sweet,savory, spicy, or sour, the study aims to reveal the variety and nutritional quality of the snacks chosen by adolescents. This information is crucial for understanding the dietary habits and potential nutritional deficiencies or excesses in this demographic. It will also help in recognizing patterns in snack preferences that may be influenced by cultural, social, or marketing factors.
The second secondary objective is to evaluate the portion sizes of snacks consumed by adolescents. By measuring the typical quantities of different types of snacks eaten, the study aims to assess whether adolescents are consuming snacks in moderation or in excessive amounts. Understanding portion sizes is essential for gauging the overall caloric intake from snacking and its contribution to the daily energy requirements. This objective will help identify if portion control is a concern and if interventions are needed to promote healthier snacking habits. It will also provide insights into whether adolescents are more likely to consume prepackaged snacks in set portions or if they tend to overeat when portions are self-determined.Together, these objectives aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of adolescents'snacking behaviors, including how often they snack, what kinds of snacks they choose, and how much they consume at each snacking occasion. This information is vital for developing targeted nutritional guidelines and interventions to promote healthier eating habits among adolescents.
Methodology: The study conducted was an observational, cross-sectional survey aimed at assessing the snacking patterns of adolescents aged 10-19 years at D.Y. Patil University, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. Over six months, ethical approval was secured, and 101 participants were recruited using a combination of stratified random and convenience sampling. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire that covered demographics, snacking frequency, types and portions of snacks, influences on snack choices, and electronic device usage during snacking.
Descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze the data using SPSS and Stata, ensuring a detailed summary of snacking behaviors and influencing factors. Ethical considerations included informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation, with data handling ensuring accuracy and completeness without imputation for missing values.
Result: The study examined adolescent snacking patterns, frequency, types, and portion sizes,
alongside factors influencing snack choices. It revealed that most adolescents snack 1-2 times daily, primarily in the evening, favoring spicy and savory snacks, with home being the main snacking location. Fruits and dry fruits were seen as the healthiest options, though convenience often led to less healthy choices. Taste was the primary driver of snack choices, and there was a strong link between screen time and snacking. Limitations included a small sample size,reliance on self-reported data, cross-sectional design, and limited scope, lack of nutritional assessment, and insufficient consideration of external, behavioral, and policy factors.Addressing these in future research could improve the understanding and promotion of healthier snacking behaviors among adolescents.
Conclusion: This study aimed to understand adolescent snacking patterns, focusing on frequency, types of snacks, and portion sizes, surveying 101 participants. It revealed that most adolescents snack 1-2 times daily (55.4%), with 37.6% snacking 3-4 times, primarily in the evening (93.1%).Adolescents favor spicy (92.1%) and savory (71.3%) snacks over sweet and sour options, with home being the primary snacking location (81.2%). Dry fruits (91.1%) and fruits (86.1%) are considered the healthiest snacks, although 97.0% would opt for any available snack in their absence. Wafers (92.1%), Namkeen (65.3%), desserts (56.4%), and biscuits (53.5%) are the most commonly consumed snacks. Taste is the main factor influencing snack choices (80.2%) and 94.1% use electronic devices while snacking. These findings highlight frequent snacking,a preference for spicy and savory flavors, and evening snacking at home, underscoring the need to address taste preferences and improve the accessibility of healthier snack options to promote better eating habits among adolescents. |