Interrelationships of child appetite, weight and snacking among Hispanic preschoolers

BACKGROUND Snacking among US preschoolers has increased in recent decades, raising questions about whether snacking contributes to dietary excess. OBJECTIVES This research aimed to characterize snacking contributions to dietary excess and to evaluate associations with appetite and weight among preschool-aged children. METHODS This study is a cross-sectional, observational study of 187 Hispanic low-income preschoolers. Three 24-h dietary recalls were used to assess snacking frequency and parameters of dietary excess including energy, saturated fat, trans fats and added sugars. Parental reports of child satiety responsiveness, food responsiveness, and enjoyment of food were obtained. Child height and weight were measured. RESULTS Children consumed 28% (395 kcal) of daily energy from snacks eaten at 2.3 ± 1.0 occasions per day. Greater snacking frequency was associated with greater daily intakes of energy (p < 0.05) and added sugars (p < 0.001). Among overweight/obese children, higher enjoyment of food was associated with more frequent snacking and greater energy intake from snacks (p = 0.01). Inverse associations of enjoyment of food with snacking frequency and energy intake were seen among normal weight children (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS More frequent snacking among low-income Hispanic preschoolers may contribute to excessive intakes of energy and added sugars, particularly among overweight/obese children with greater motivation to eat.