Investigation of the Snack Consumption Behavior among 430 Preschool Children in Yinchuan

Objective To investigate the snack consumption behavior in preschool children of Yinchuan and to provide a scientific basis for the guidance of a reasonable consumption of snacks for children. Methods 430 preschool children were randomly selected and a questionnaire survey on snack consumption was conducted. Results The top five snacks of pre-school children were milk and related products( 80. 5 %),vegetables and fruits( 76. 5%),cakes( 68. 8%),ice cream( 64. 9%) and sweets( 64. 3%). The most common frequency for children's snacking was over three times a day( 43. 6%). The top three motivatives for children to eat snacks were: wanting to eat( 72%),seeing snacks( 45. 7%),and seeing others snacking( 42. 9%). The main reasons for parents to choose snacks for preschoolers were : following children's own wish( 85. 5%),considering snacks nutritious and tasty( 38. 9%),considering snacks fresh and digestible( 27. 0%). The usual time periods for preschool children's snacking were: randomly variable( 62. 2%),after dinner( 24. 2%),and before dinner( 20. 4%). The most common snack sources were: from parents( 85. 5%),from grandparents( 37. 8%)and buying on their own( 14. 5%). The most popular places of snacks' purchasing were: large supermarkets( 92.6%) and small supermarkets in the neighborhood( 43. 5%). Conclusion Preschoolers have some problems in snack consumption. Their parents should be educated to know about snacks,so that they can choose healthy snacks for children and have children grow healthily.