Authors :
Clarizze C. Doton; Justin D. Fernandez; Pernille Marie E. Gacasa; Pamela Anne M. Mariano Florimae E. Paimala; Diane S. Mendoza
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 6 - June
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3AVyOLX
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6850074
Abstract :
Globally and in the Philippines, cases of
overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) among adolescents
have been labeled as a public health concern. Studies
showed that unhealthy snacking contributes to excessive
energy intake, which can lead to OW and OB. The home
confinement brought by the COVID 19 pandemic
resulted in increased snacking and decreased fresh food
consumption among adolescents. This study aimed to
determine the contribution of frequent snacking to the
energy, sugar, and sodium intakes of adolescents aged 13-
18 during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional
research utilizing the stratified random sampling was
conducted. A total of 32 participants were enrolled in the
study from schools of Timoteo Paez Integrated School in
Manila; Orani National High School and Saint John
Academy in Bataan. A demographic questionnaire was
used to collect relevant information of the participants
and a 3-day non consecutive estimated food record (FR)
was used to gather their average food consumption. FRs
showed that adolescents did not engage in frequent
snacking. Frequent snacking is weakly correlated
(r=0.360) with the total energy intake. The sugar intake
taken from snacking has a moderately strong correlation
(r=0.495) with the total sugar intake. Furthermore, the
sodium intake from snacking has a very weak correlation
(r=0.100) to the total sodium intake and is not statistically
significant (p=0.586). Locally, the COVID-19 pandemic is
weakly correlated with the increased energy consumption
as intakes were below the recommendations across ages.
Findings root that food preparation and choices during
meals and snacking occasions have significantly
contributed to the added sugar and sodium intakes.
Keywords :
Frequent Snacking, Adolescents.
Globally and in the Philippines, cases of
overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) among adolescents
have been labeled as a public health concern. Studies
showed that unhealthy snacking contributes to excessive
energy intake, which can lead to OW and OB. The home
confinement brought by the COVID 19 pandemic
resulted in increased snacking and decreased fresh food
consumption among adolescents. This study aimed to
determine the contribution of frequent snacking to the
energy, sugar, and sodium intakes of adolescents aged 13-
18 during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional
research utilizing the stratified random sampling was
conducted. A total of 32 participants were enrolled in the
study from schools of Timoteo Paez Integrated School in
Manila; Orani National High School and Saint John
Academy in Bataan. A demographic questionnaire was
used to collect relevant information of the participants
and a 3-day non consecutive estimated food record (FR)
was used to gather their average food consumption. FRs
showed that adolescents did not engage in frequent
snacking. Frequent snacking is weakly correlated
(r=0.360) with the total energy intake. The sugar intake
taken from snacking has a moderately strong correlation
(r=0.495) with the total sugar intake. Furthermore, the
sodium intake from snacking has a very weak correlation
(r=0.100) to the total sodium intake and is not statistically
significant (p=0.586). Locally, the COVID-19 pandemic is
weakly correlated with the increased energy consumption
as intakes were below the recommendations across ages.
Findings root that food preparation and choices during
meals and snacking occasions have significantly
contributed to the added sugar and sodium intakes.
Keywords :
Frequent Snacking, Adolescents.
