THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SNACK INTAKE AND ITS AVAILABILITY OF 4(TH) -6(TH) GRADERS IN TAIWAN
Resource
ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION v.16 pp.547-553
Journal
ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL
Journal Volume
v.16
Journal Issue
NUTRITION
Pages
547-553
Date Issued
2007
Date
2007
Author(s)
HANG, CHI-MING
LIN, WEI
PAN, WEN-HAM
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship
between the snack intake and snack availability of
elementary school children. Data analyzed were from 722 4 (
th) to 6 (th) graders' food availability and food intake
questionnaires collected in the Nutrition and Health Survey
in Taiwan Elementary School Children 2001-2002. The snacks
commonly eaten were divided into two groups. Healthy snacks
included dairy products, 100% fruit juice and fresh fruits.
Unhealthy snacks included high fat/sugar snacks, cookies,
candy, carbonated/sugared beverages and fast food.
Structural equating modeling was used to test the models
that describe the availability and intake of two snack
groups. Results indicated that parents' intake and children
's preference were major predictors of children intake of
both healthy and unhealthy snacks. Other than that, the
intake of unhealthy snacks was positively associated with "
purchase by children themselves" but not the intake of
healthy snacks, which was influenced predominantly by "
present in home". The results support the perception that a
positive family food environment is important for improving
children's diet quality. To build a healthy family food
environment, parents have to not only provide healthy snacks
but also limit the unhealthy snacks in home. In addition to
that, the role modeling of parents as eating healthy snacks
instead of unhealthy snacks themselves may help children to
develop similar behaviors.
Subjects
food availability
snack intake
food frequency
food environment
4(th)-6(th) graders
Type
journal article