Snack consumption among pupils in Shanghai

Objective This study aims to acquire awareness rate of Guidelines on Snacks for Chinese Children and Adolescents and to evaluate snack consumption among pupils in Shanghai,and to provide basis for intervention of snacking behavior.Methods A total of 1 770( 931 boys,839 girls) students from 14 primary schools were selected by a cluster random sampling method. Information on snack consumption within the past one month was obtained through questionnaire. Results The awareness rate of Guidelines on Snacks for Chinese Children and Adolescents was only about 22. 2%; Top five snacks of excessive consumption in 43 kinds of snacks were cakes and desserts( 67. 9%),butter sandwich crackers( 63. 2%),chocolate pie( 61. 9%),whole milk or low-fat milk( 61. 0%),marshmallow candy( 50. 8%). Conclusion Excessive snacks consuming behaviors of limited consumption level and appropriate consumption level is common among primary students. Schools and families should work together to help children choose reasonable snacks and provide good environment for children' s healthy growth.