Eating Dessert Foods: Behavioral Patterns in American Children
Authors: Jacquier Emma F , Eldridge Alison L 
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Dessert food items are a part of Western food culture and are increasingly consumed in‐between the classical meal pattern of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Recently, there has been an increased interest in examining recreational (or mindless) eating and evidence suggests that snacking in between meals contributes to about 25% of children's energy intakes. However, it is not known to what extent U.S. children consume desserts at meals and in‐between meals, nor how the intakes of desserts differ among children who have a dessert alongside a meal or in‐between meals.

Objective

To contribute to the understanding about dietary behaviors related to the consumption of desserts among American children.

Methods

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009–2012 was used to examine dessert food intake. Consumption of dessert food items was assessed using the first day 24‐hr recall, and was defined as having a USDA What We Eat in America food category code for a dessert‐like food; namely subgroups of sweet bakery products, candy and other desserts. Exclusions were made for unreliable data or pregnant/lactating women. Children aged 4–18 years were included in these analyses. Desserts were assessed as to whether they were consumed with meals or between meals. Participants were grouped according to 3 age groups: 4–8 years (y) (n=1,917), 9–13y (n=1,730) and 14–18y (n=1,508).

Results

More children consumed dessert foods in‐between meals (61%) versus at mealtimes (37%). Among 4–8y olds and 9–13y olds, the energy (kcal) consumed from cakes and pies, ice cream and frozen dairy desserts, cookies and brownies, candy containing chocolate and candy not containing chocolate was higher in‐between meals (355kcal; 202kcal; 187kcal; 143kcal and 105kcal, respectively) versus when the same items were consumed with meals (283kcal; 183kcal; 159kcal; 86kcal and 57kcal, respectively). Among 14–18y olds, trends were mixed. The energy consumed from ice‐cream and from pudding, gelatins, ices and sorbets was higher when consumed with meals versus in‐between meals (316kcal vs. 262kcal; 311kcal vs. 226kcal respectively), whereas energy from cakes and pies were higher when consumed in‐between meals (447kcal vs. 406kcal). There were no differences in energy consumed from candy among 14–18y olds regardless of whether it was consumed with meals or between meals.

Discussion

Children in the U.S. are more likely to consume dessert food items between meals than alongside a meal. Among 4–8y olds and 9–13 y olds, the energy intake of popular dessert items is less when consumed with meals than when the same dessert foods are consumed between meals. This finding may have important implications for dietary behaviors research and interventions designed to reduce discretionary calories. Sweet bakery goods (doughnuts, sweet rolls and pastries) were not presented in this analysis because the pattern of consumption was dissimilar from other dessert foods; they are likely to be consumed at breakfast (i.e. they are the meal vs. being an addition to the meal). Further research should focus on the nutrients and gram amounts of dessert foods consumed at different parts of the day. Differences between age groups and sex should also be explored in more detail.

Support or Funding Information

Funded by Nestlé Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland.