Advice and the Reality of Snacking Habits: a Worldwide Perspective
Authors: Vlassopoulos Antonios , Masset Gabriel , Potter Monika , Eldridge Alison , Leroy Fabienne , Vecchio Bianca Maria 
Published: June 2021

Background

Snacking patterns and increased consumption of high fat/sugar food items (HFS) have been proposed as components of an adverse food environment; yet again no clear guidance is available to define their 'optimal' intake.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify existing recommendations on the consumption of HFS food items and snacks as well as reports documenting the actual consumption patterns in various countries worldwide. Nutritionists from 10 countries were also contacted to provide with a translation of recommendations published in languages other than English.
Results: Overall, recommendations on snacking and HFS food items were available in 30 countries. Advice on the consumption of snacks was available in 9 countries suggesting they provide 10‐30% of energy intake (EI). Epidemiological data, on the other hand, shows that currently the percentage of energy obtained from snacks differs substantially between countries and is in the majority of the cases higher than recommended (17.4‐39.8%).

Energy contribution of snacks

Country
Recommendation
Target population
Reported intake
Population

Spain
10‐15% EI
General

Sweden
20% EI
General

United Kingdom
20% EI
General
17.4‐22.7% EI (15.7‐29.6% EI)
Adults (Children)

Brazil
15% EI
General
21% EI
General

Chile
20% EI
Adults

USA
10% EI
Children
18.4‐20.3% EI (17.0‐23.8% EI)
Adults (Children)

Italy
10‐14% EI
Children

Mexico
30% EI
Children

Canada
‐
‐
16.6‐26.5% EI (26.2‐29.6%EI)
Adults (Children)

Australia
‐
‐
28%EI
Adults

Belgium
‐
‐
20‐24% EI
General

Estonia
‐
‐
7% EI
Children

Finland
‐
‐
36.1‐39.8% EI
Adults

HFS food items were referred to in 25 recommendations but were rarely expressed quantitatively and if so they were highly variable. Consumption patterns are highly different among countries (7‐30.3%) with inconsistencies in the definition of HFS food items being one of the sources of heterogeneity.

Energy contribution of HFS food items

Country
Recommendation
Target population
Reported intake
Population

Spain
&9occasionally&9
General
‐
‐

Sweden
13‐14% EI
Adults
‐
‐

United Kingdom
&9small amounts&9
General
12.8‐16.2% EI
Children

Brazil
&9avoid&9
General
7% EI
General*

USA
120‐330Kcal (100‐500 Kcal)
General (Children)
11% EI
Children

Italy
&9limit&9
General
‐
‐

Mexico
&9limit
General
5.8% EI
Adults

Canada
&9avoid&9
General
18.2‐22.5% EI
Children

Ireland
‐
‐
17.9% EI
Children

Netherlands
&9reduce&9
Adults
15% EI
General

Australia
&9limited&9
Adults
11.1‐15.8% EI
General

Iran
‐
‐
30.3% EI
Children*

Lebanon
‐
‐
6% EI
Adults*

France
&9reduce&9
General
‐
‐

Denmark
&9limit&9
General
‐
‐

Austria
one serving/d
General
‐
‐

Switzerland
one serving/day
Adults
‐
‐

Germany
&9sparingly&9
General
‐
‐

Belgium
&9occasionally&9
General
‐
‐

New Zealand
&9limit&9 (once/week)
General (Children)
‐
‐

South Africa
&9special occasions&9
General
‐
‐

India
&9limit&9
General
‐
‐

Japan
&9moderate
General
‐
‐

Vietnam
&9limited&9
General
‐
‐

Philippines
&9limit&9
General
‐
‐

Saudi Arabia
&9limit&9
General
‐
‐

Singapore
added sugars &amp;lt;10% EI
General
‐
‐

South Korea
185‐225 kcal
General
‐
‐

Discussion: Current advice on snacking and the consumption of HFS food items is limited and inconclusive. Based on the recommendations available and the relevant consumption data, reducing energy intake from snacks to 蠄20% EI and limiting HFS food items could improve dietary habits while being aligned with current advice from various bodies.