Assessing the Dietary Habits of Canadians by Eating Location and Occasion: Findings from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2.

Occasion and location of food environment has an influence on dietary habits, nutritional quality and overall health and nutrition-related chronic disease risk. Eating occasion and location was assessed in 20,402 Canadians aged ≥ 2 years, with a focus on energy, saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium intake by age group. Data showed >80% of children, compared to ~60% of adolescents and adults, consumed three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) plus snacks in a day. Dinner contributed the most calories [ranging from 395 ± 11 kcal (2⁻3 year olds) to 952 ± 27 kcal (men 19⁻30 years)], saturated fat [7.4 ± 0.2% energy (2⁻3 year olds) to 9.1 ± 0.3% energy (women 31⁻50 years)], and sodium [851 ± 24 mg (2⁻3 year olds) to 1299 ± 69 mg (men 19⁻30 years)], while snacks contributed the most added sugars [22 ± 1 kcal (men >70 years) to 45 ± 1 kcal (2⁻3 year olds)]. By eating location, most Canadians (>90%) reported consuming food from home. Subsequently, home was associated with the majority of energy [1383 ± 23 kcal (women >70 years) to 2090 ± 35 kcal (boys 9⁻13 years)], saturated fat [20.4 ± 0.4%E (men 51⁻70 years) to 24.2 ± 0.4%E (2⁻3 year olds)], added sugars [77 ± 3 kcal (men 19⁻30 years) to 117 ± 2 kcal (2⁻3 year olds)], and sodium [2137 ± 59 mg (women 19⁻30 years) to 2638 ± 45 mg (men 51⁻70 years)] intakes. Reported eating behaviours suggest action is needed at individual and population levels to alter food purchasing and consumption habits, specifically with regards to snacking habits and foods prepared at home.