Snacking Definitions: Impact on Interpretation of the Literature and Dietary Recommendations
Abstract
Snacking is a ubiquitous practice that has increased in recent years. However, the impact of snacking on the diet is difficult to assess because a variety of approaches have been used to define snacking (and snack foods) in the literature. This lack of a universally accepted definition complicates interpretation of the literature and limits the development of science-based recommendations for consumers. The purpose of this review is to illustrate this problem by showing that the conclusions derived from the literature are heavily dependent on the definition used or implied by the authors. It is suggested that the a universally accepted definition for snacking be developed by a coalition of stakeholders to provide a template for future research, guidance for the food industry and to enable the development of well-substantiated dietary recommendations.
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To date there has been no comprehensive review of studies investigating associations between meal patterns and diet quality.
“Moreover, to date there has been no comprehensive review of studies investigating associations between meal patterns and diet quality; previous reviews have focused on dietary contributions in relation to eating frequency or snacking( 8 , 9 ).”
From Understanding meal patterns: definitions, methodology and impact on nutrient intake and diet quality (2015) · cites this paper as [8]
Previous reviews of the impact of different definitions on the interpretation of meal pattern studies have examined snacking only.
“However, previous reviews of the impact of different definitions on the interpretation of meal pattern studies have examined snacking only( 7 , 8 ).”
From Understanding meal patterns: definitions, methodology and impact on nutrient intake and diet quality (2015) · cites this paper as [8]
Although it is widely acknowledged that different definitions used to define meals and snacks are likely to hamper interpretation of findings across studies, research explicitly examining the impact of these different definitions is rare.
“Although it is widely acknowledged that different definitions used to define meals/snacks are likely to hamper interpretation of findings across studies( 8 , 44 ), research explicitly examining the impact of these different definitions is rare( 55 ).”
From Understanding meal patterns: definitions, methodology and impact on nutrient intake and diet quality (2015) · cites this paper as [8]
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Cites
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“On the other hand, the pattern of irregular eating and meal skipping characteristic of restrained eating may prompt binge eating and excess energy intake that contributes to weight gain and obesity in the long-term (Polivy and Herman, 1985; Snoek et al., 2007).”
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- Authors
- Johnson, G. H., & Anderson, G. H.
- Affiliations
- University of Toronto (CA)
- Venue
- Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2010-09-30
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 848-871
- ISSN
- 1040-8398 (ISSN-L)
- 1549-7852
- OpenAlex
- W2097526613
- Cited by
- 149
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 5.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Keywords
- snacking, snacks, dietary recommendations, food consumption patterns, stakeholder consensus
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Body Weight, Energy Intake, Diet, Feeding Behavior, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Nutritional Requirements, Guidelines as Topic, Young Adult
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