title: Fruits and vegetables as a healthier snack throughout the day among families with older children: findings from a survey of parent-child dyads.
abstract: Most U.S. youth fail to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables (FV) however many consume too many calories as added sugars and solid fats, often as snacks. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with serving FV as snacks and with meals using parent-child dyads. A cross-sectional sample of U.S. children aged 9 to 18, and their caregiver/parent (n=1522) were part of a Consumer Panel of households for the 2008 YouthStyles mail survey. Chi-square test of independence and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess associations between serving patterns of FV as snacks with variations in serving patterns, and covariates including dietary habits. Most parents (72%) reported serving FV at meals and as snacks. Fruit was most frequently served as a snack during the day (52%) and vegetables were most frequently served as a snack during the day (22%) but rarely in the morning. Significant differences in child FV intake existed among FV as a snack serving patterns by parents. Compared to children whose parents served FV only at meals, children whose parents reported serving FV as snacks in addition to meals were significantly more likely to have consumed FV the day before (using a previous day screener), P<0.05. Contributing to the growing collection of literature describing parent-child dyad dietary behaviors, these findings suggest promoting FV access and intake throughout the day, not only at meals, by including serving as snacks, may increase FV intake among older children and adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, 8401 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114, USA; University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Health Promotion, Social & Behavioral Health, UNMC College of Public Health, 984365 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4365, USA. Electronic address: tsmith@centerfornutrition.org.
authors.forename: Teresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, 8401 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114, USA; University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Health Promotion, Social & Behavioral Health, UNMC College of Public Health, 984365 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4365, USA.
authors.forename: Courtney A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pinard
authors.affiliation: Montana State University, Department of Health and Human Development, 222 Romney Gym, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Byker Shanks
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, CDC, 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wethington
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, CDC, 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
authors.forename: Heidi M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Blanck
authors.affiliation: Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, 8401 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114, USA; University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Health Promotion, Social & Behavioral Health, UNMC College of Public Health, 984365 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4365, USA.
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Yaroch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D062410:Snacks / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D014675:Vegetables
keywords: Adolescents; ConsumerStyles; Fruits and vegetables; Older children; Snacking