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Cited by 332Nutrition, Health and Food BehaviorObesity, Physical Activity, DietNutritional Studies and Diet

Snacking frequency in relation to energy intake and food choices in obese men and women compared to a reference population

Bertéus Forslund, H, Torgerson, J S, Sjöström, L, Lindroos, A K·2005·International Journal of Obesity
DOI 10.1038/sj.ijo.0802950
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Abstract

Objective To investigate snacking frequency in relation to energy intake and food choices, taking physical activity into account, in obese vs reference men and women.Design Cross-sectional, descriptive study.Subjects In total, 4259 obese, middle-aged subjects (1891 men and 2368 women) from the baseline examination of the XENDOS study and 1092 subjects (505 men and 587 women) from the SOS reference study were included.Measurements A meal pattern questionnaire describing habitual intake occasions (main meals, light meals/breakfast, snacks, drink-only), a dietary questionnaire describing habitual energy and macronutrient intake and a questionnaire assessing physical activity at work and during leisure time were used.Results The obese group consumed snacks more frequently compared to the reference group (P<0.001) and women more frequently than men (P<0.001). Energy intake increased with increasing snacking frequency, irrespective of physical activity. Statistically significant differences in trends were found for cakes/cookies, candies/chocolate and desserts for the relation between energy intake and snacking frequency, where energy intake increased more by snacking frequency in obese subjects than in reference subjects.Conclusion Obese subjects were more frequent snackers than reference subjects and women were more frequent snackers than men. Snacks were positively related to energy intake, irrespective of physical activity. Sweet, fatty food groups were associated with snacking and contributed considerably to energy intake. Snacking needs to be considered in obesity treatment, prevention and general dietary recommendations.

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Crossref · 10.1038/sj.ijo.0802950

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42 of 42 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The classification of temporal distribution of meals is usually based on cultural norms.

    “The classification of temporal distribution of meals is usually based on cultural norms (67,68) .”

    From Meal irregularity and cardiometabolic consequences: results from observational and intervention studies (2016) · cites this paper as [67]

  • A recent review of dietary therapies and innovative time-associated dietary approaches concluded that regular meal eating habits might facilitate maintaining weight while unplanned snacking as well as consuming the major part of the energy intake at the end of the day seem to be unfavourable.

    “A recent review of dietary therapies and innovative time-associated dietary approaches concluded that regular meal eating habits might facilitate maintaining weight while unplanned snacking as well as consuming the major part of the energy intake at the end of the day seem to be unfavourable (67) .”

    From Meal irregularity and cardiometabolic consequences: results from observational and intervention studies (2016) · cites this paper as [67]

  • The participant-identified definition avoids the imposition of a complex criterion to classify eating occasions as meals or snacks.

    “While this definition avoids the imposition of a complex criterion to classify EO as meals or snacks( 45 – 47 )”

    From Understanding meal patterns: definitions, methodology and impact on nutrient intake and diet quality (2015) · cites this paper as [45]

  • Eleven studies applied no additional criteria, whereas other studies delineated eating occasions using 15-min, 30-min, 45-min plus 50 kcal, or 59-min intervals.

    “For example, eleven studies( 23 , 45 – 47 , 52 , 66 , 69 , 75 , 78 , 80 , 82 ) applied no additional criteria, whereas in other studies, EO were delineated using 15-min time intervals( 57 , 70 , 77 ), a 30-min interval( 53 ), a 45-min interval plus a 50 kcal (210 kJ) energy criterion( 15 ) and a 59-min interval (applied to meals only)( 48 ).”

    From Understanding meal patterns: definitions, methodology and impact on nutrient intake and diet quality (2015) · cites this paper as [45]

  • Meal patterns were mostly participant-identified, although these studies varied in the additional criteria used to determine an individual eating occasion, meal and/or snack, and their treatment of beverages.

    “Meal patterns were mostly participant-identified( 15 , 23 , 45 – 48 , 52 , 53 , 57 , 66 , 69 , 70 , 75 , 77 , 78 , 82 ), although these studies varied in the additional criteria used to determine an individual EO, meal and/or snack, and their treatment of beverages.”

    From Understanding meal patterns: definitions, methodology and impact on nutrient intake and diet quality (2015) · cites this paper as [45]

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Authors
Bertéus Forslund, H., Torgerson, J. S., Sjöström, L., & Lindroos, A. K.
Affiliations
University of Gothenburg (SE)
Corresponding author
Lindroos, A K
ORCID
Lindroos, A K
Venue
International Journal of Obesity
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2005-04-05
Volume
29
Issue
6
Pages
711-719
ISSN
  • 0307-0565 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5497
DOI
10.1038/sj.ijo.0802950
OpenAlex
W2098658447
Cited by
332
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 18
FWCI
10.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • International Journal of Obesity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Vetenskapsrådet
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
Keywords
snacking frequency, energy intake, obesity, food choice, meal patterns, physical activity, sex differences, desserts
MeSH terms
Adult, Energy Intake, Choice Behavior, Dietary Carbohydrates, Dietary Fats, Feeding Behavior, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Sex Factors, Sweden, Exercise, Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic, Body Mass Index, Logistic Models, Case-Control Studies

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