Children Are Eating Savory Snack Foods: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2011–2012

The savory snack market is over $28 billion yearly and advertising often targets children; however, data are limited on the consumption of such products among children. This research examined the percentage of U.S. children who consumed chips, flavored snacks, popcorn and pretzels (referred to here as savory snack foods) on a given day during 2011–2012. The studysample included nationally representative data from individuals aged 2–19 years(n=3132), participating in What We Eat in America (WWEIA), NHANES2011–2012. Dietary intake data, obtained from an in‐person 24‐hour recall, were collected using the interviewer‐administered 5‐step USDA Automated Multiple‐Pass Method. The WWEIA Food Categories were used to estimate the percentages of children who consumed potato chips, tortilla/corn/otherchips, popcorn, and pretzels/snack mix at least once, any time during the intake day. Overall, 43.9 ± 1.6% (mean ±SE) of children consumed savory snack foods on any given day. Among race/ethnicity groups, a greater percentage of non‐Hispanic black children (50.4± 2.9%) consumed savory snack foods on a day compared to non‐Hispanic white (44.0± 2.5%), Hispanic (42.5 ± 2.2%) or non‐Hispanic Asian (40.1 ± 3.3%) children. By age group, the percentage consuming was40.5% (2–5 yr), 47.8% (6–11 yr) and 42.8% (12–19 yr). With respect to amount consumed, mean intake of savory snack foods among consumers increased with age: 27 ± 3g, 38 ± 3g and 48 ± 3g among children2–5 yr, 6–11 yr and 12–19 yr, respectively. Overall, on the day consumed, they contributed 10% of total energy and7% of total sodium; mean energy was 199 kcal and mean sodium was 230mg. The results of this research highlight the wide‐spread consumption of savory snack foods by children of all ages and race/ethnic backgrounds. Support or Funding Information USDA, ARS