Correlates of High-Fat/Low-Nutrient—Dense Snack Consumption among Adolescents: Results from Two National Health Surveys

Abstract

Snacking has long been considered a chief characteristic of the adolescent lifestyle. Studies have shown that between 60% and 87% of all U.S. adolescents consume at least one snack per day, with a range of one to seven snacks daily. 1-3 According to a national survey, 4 the top snacks selected by teens include potato chips, ice cream, candy, cookies, breakfast cereal, popcorn, crackers, soup, cake, and carbonated beverages. Fruits and vegetables are chosen less often at snack time than are other food categories? In general for adolescents, meals have been found to have greater nutrient density for key nutrients compared with snacks. Studies have also shown between one fourth and one third of the energy intake of adolescents comes from snacks. Recently, comparison of periodic national surveys has suggested that foods eaten between meals are making an increasing contribution to total food intake among all age groups. 1’2 Concern has been expressed about the quality of the teenage diet. Dietary excesses of fat, sugar, cholesterol, and sodium are common among U.S. adolescents and are found in all income and ethnic groups and both sexes. ~,6 In addition, inadequate dietary intakes of certain vitamins (folate, A, E, B6) and minerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc,