Factors Related to Preschoolers’ Snack Consumption Behaviour
Keywords:
SNACKS CONSUMPTION BEHAVIORS PRE-SCHOOL CHILDRENAbstract
Abstract:
Objective: To examine preschoolers’ snack consumption behaviour and its relation
to individual factors (i.e., knowledge of and attitude towards snack consumption, daily
allowance, and nutritional status); family factors (i.e., parents’ occupations and education,
family’s income, and parents’ snack consumption behaviour); and socio-environmental
factors (i.e., access to snack-related information, and the number of snack shops near
the school and home).
Design: Descriptive correlational research.
Methodology: Through stratifed random sampling, a total of 154 pairs of
preschoolers aged 5-6 and their guardians, all living in Muang district, Khonkaen
province, were selected. Data were collected using a questionnaire, an interview, and
nutritional state assessment. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s
correlation analysis and chi-square test.
Results: The preschoolers’ average scores on snack consumption knowledge,
attitude and behaviour were 67.7%, 39.7% and 53.8%, respectively. The majority of
them consumed snacks more than once a week, the most frequently consumed types of
snacks being crisps and chocolate, and the least frequently consumed being jelly. A
correlation analysis revealed a negative relation between the preschoolers allowances
and their snack consumption behaviour (rs = -.266, p = .001). On the other hand, a
positive relation was found between the preschoolers snack consumption behaviour and
their parents’ (rs = .632, p < .001).
Recommendations: Based on the results, nurses and healthcare staff can apply
the infomation for study on factors predicting consumption, and to developing a programme
that properly promotes snack consumption behaviour of preschoolers, especially
those on high daily allowances.
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