Increased Snacking Poses Threat to US children’s health
New York (MedscapeWire) Apr 19 — Children in the United States are snacking more than they did 20 years ago, according to a new study. In the 1970s, about 80% of children snacked daily, and now about 90% of them do. Although snacking in itself will not necessarily lead to obesity, say the study authors, increased rates of snacking and the kinds of snack food have contributed to the weight-gain trend in US children.
"The average size of snacks and energy per snack remained relatively constant," said Barry M. Popkin, PhD, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the University of North Carolina schools of public health and medicine, in Chapel Hill. "But since the number of times kids eat between meals increased, the average daily energy intake from snacks grew, and that's not good. When compared to regular meals, the snacks provided less calcium, more energy, and a higher proportion of energy from fat."
The study, which was published in the April issue of the Journal of Pediatrics, analyzed data from 21,000 children aged 2 to 18 years. The data came from the 1977-78 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey and both the 1989-91 and 1994-96 editions of Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals.
Increasing rates of childhood obesity prompted the authors to examine possible causes. Over the last 20 years, the proportions of overweight schoolchildren and adolescents have increased from 8% to 14% in children and from 6% to 12% in adolescents. Because of the adverse effects of obesity on risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the researchers attempted to determine whether the snacking habits of US schoolchildren had changed over time.
Aside from the higher percentage of children who snack daily, Popkin said said that "a more pronounced change...is that their total daily energy intake from snacks has risen from about 18% to about 25%. Whereas 2 decades ago they were taking in 450 kilocalories of energy in this way, now they're getting 600 kilocalories."
In addition, the "energy density" of the snacks — kilocalories per gram — have increased from 1.35 to 1.54, a statistically significant increase.
"What's important about that is that other researchers have found small increases in energy densities lead to a large increase in total energy," Popkin said. "So not only are children — and adults — eating a lot more snacks, but we're also getting more calories because we're eating different kinds of foods that are more energy dense. That's a bad sign and a clear indication that increased snacking contributes to the overweight increases in the United States."
Energy-dense foods are snacks with high caloric content but low nutritional value, such as soft drinks, potato and corn chips, and other salty snacks. Energy dense foods don't reduce appetite as much as healthier foods do, and Popkin's group found a corresponding decrease in consumption of these, including fruit, vegetables, and milk. "It's not that snacks are bad," Popkin pointed out. "In fact, for preschoolers and children age 10 and under they are very important during the day because their stomachs are small, and they need to keep their energy levels high. It's just the kind of snacks should be switched." Parents should buy healthy foods for snacks such as fruit and vegetables instead of fast foods high in fat, salt, and sugar, the authors said.
"The average size of snacks and energy per snack remained relatively constant," said Barry M. Popkin, PhD, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the University of North Carolina schools of public health and medicine, in Chapel Hill. "But since the number of times kids eat between meals increased, the average daily energy intake from snacks grew, and that's not good. When compared to regular meals, the snacks provided less calcium, more energy, and a higher proportion of energy from fat."
The study, which was published in the April issue of the Journal of Pediatrics, analyzed data from 21,000 children aged 2 to 18 years. The data came from the 1977-78 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey and both the 1989-91 and 1994-96 editions of Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals.
Increasing rates of childhood obesity prompted the authors to examine possible causes. Over the last 20 years, the proportions of overweight schoolchildren and adolescents have increased from 8% to 14% in children and from 6% to 12% in adolescents. Because of the adverse effects of obesity on risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the researchers attempted to determine whether the snacking habits of US schoolchildren had changed over time.
Aside from the higher percentage of children who snack daily, Popkin said said that "a more pronounced change...is that their total daily energy intake from snacks has risen from about 18% to about 25%. Whereas 2 decades ago they were taking in 450 kilocalories of energy in this way, now they're getting 600 kilocalories."
In addition, the "energy density" of the snacks — kilocalories per gram — have increased from 1.35 to 1.54, a statistically significant increase.
"What's important about that is that other researchers have found small increases in energy densities lead to a large increase in total energy," Popkin said. "So not only are children — and adults — eating a lot more snacks, but we're also getting more calories because we're eating different kinds of foods that are more energy dense. That's a bad sign and a clear indication that increased snacking contributes to the overweight increases in the United States."
Energy-dense foods are snacks with high caloric content but low nutritional value, such as soft drinks, potato and corn chips, and other salty snacks. Energy dense foods don't reduce appetite as much as healthier foods do, and Popkin's group found a corresponding decrease in consumption of these, including fruit, vegetables, and milk. "It's not that snacks are bad," Popkin pointed out. "In fact, for preschoolers and children age 10 and under they are very important during the day because their stomachs are small, and they need to keep their energy levels high. It's just the kind of snacks should be switched." Parents should buy healthy foods for snacks such as fruit and vegetables instead of fast foods high in fat, salt, and sugar, the authors said.
Discussion:
Maritza Peralta
Parents are responsible for their children until they reach the age of maturity. Its a shame how parents buy unhealthy snacks for their children and complain when their child is overweight. These children need to exercise and develop healthy lifestyle. Overweight children usually become adults with poor eating habits and develop type 2 diabetes. Parents need to be educated and learn what their child is consuming at school, home and at outdoor excursions. We as a society of nursing educators should be very concerned.
Implement:
Teaching in the schools unhealthy and healthy foods. Parenting classes on healthy food choices. Educating the kids on the importance of exercising, riding the bicycle, roller blading, swimming, playing basketball, football. Having a nutritionist oversee the family, perhaps weekly visits with weights taken.
posted by mperalta11 @ 7:50 PM
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