Objective: To examine and characterize the snacking patterns of Chinese children and adolescents.
Methods: A total of 1195 subjects from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2011 were included in the study. A multistage, stratified, sampling design was used. 24-h dietary recall method was used to collect food intake information in3 consecutive days. Snacking patterns were analyzed using cluster analysis.
Results: The highest consumption rates of snacks were fruits and products in 4-10 years old and 11-17 years old groups of urban and rural areas( 77%-84%). The major snacking food pattern of more than 90% children aged 4-10 years old in ubran and rual areas were fruits and dairy products. The major snacking food pattern of 82. 6% adolescents aged11-17 years old in ubran area were fruits products. And 47. 4% adolescents in rural area were beverage and fruits products.
Conclusion: Four types of snacking food patterns are identified in 4-10 years old and 11-17 years old groups of urban and rural areas intwelve provinces of China.
Keywords: adolescents; children; cluster analysis; snacking consumption; snacking pattern.