Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Australia.
Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2007 Sep 17;4:36. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-4-36.
Snacking is likely to play an important role in the development of overweight and obesity, yet little is known about the contexts of snacking in adolescents or how snacking may influence other dietary habits, like meal skipping. This study examines the contexts in which adolescents snack and whether these contexts are associated with demographic characteristics of adolescents and with meal skipping.
A cross-sectional, self-reported online food habits survey was administered to 3,250 secondary students in years seven and nine. The students were drawn from 37 secondary schools in Victoria, Australia during 2004-2005. Frequencies of meal skipping, and snacking in eight contexts, were compared across gender, year level and region of residence. Logistic regressions were performed to examine associations between snacking contexts and meal skipping adjusting for gender and region.
The most common contexts for snacking among adolescents were after school (4.6 times per week), while watching TV (3.5 times per week) and while hanging out with friends (2.4 times per week). Adolescents were least likely to snack all day long (0.8 times per week) or in the middle of the night (0.4 times per week). Snacking contexts were variously associated with gender, year level and region. In contrast, meal skipping was associated with gender and region of residence but not year level. Adolescents who reported more frequent snacking on the run, on the way to or from school, all day long, or in the middle of the night were more likely to skip meals.
These data suggest adolescents snack frequently, especially in their leisure time. In addition, adolescents who snack on the run, on the way to or from school, all day long or in the middle of the night are more likely to skip meals than are adolescents who don't snack at these times. Understanding the contexts in which adolescents snack, and their associations with skipping meals, may assist those involved in the promotion of healthy food habits among adolescents.
吃零食可能在超重和肥胖的发展中起着重要作用，但对于青少年吃零食的情况以及吃零食如何影响其他饮食习惯（如不吃正餐）知之甚少。本研究考察了青少年吃零食的情况，以及这些情况是否与青少年的人口统计学特征以及不吃正餐有关。
2004-2005 年，在澳大利亚维多利亚州的 37 所中学，对 3250 名 7 年级和 9 年级的学生进行了横断面、自我报告的在线饮食习惯调查。比较了不同性别、年级和居住地区青少年不吃正餐和在八种情况下吃零食的频率。调整性别和地区因素后，采用逻辑回归分析了吃零食的情况与不吃正餐之间的关联。
青少年最常见的吃零食情况是放学后（每周 4.6 次）、边看电视（每周 3.5 次）和与朋友闲逛（每周 2.4 次）。青少年最不可能整天（每周 0.8 次）或半夜（每周 0.4 次）吃零食。吃零食的情况因性别、年级和地区而异。相比之下，不吃正餐与性别和居住地区有关，但与年级无关。报告经常在匆忙中、在上学或放学路上、整天或半夜吃零食的青少年更有可能不吃正餐。
这些数据表明，青少年经常吃零食，尤其是在闲暇时间。此外，与不在这些时间吃零食的青少年相比，经常在匆忙中、在上学或放学路上、整天或半夜吃零食的青少年更有可能不吃正餐。了解青少年吃零食的情况及其与不吃正餐的关系，可能有助于促进青少年健康饮食习惯。
