Table 3.
Top 10 of the most frequently reported foods and beverages consumed during snacking and their energy contributions among children in Australia, China, Mexico, and the US.
| Country | Ranking | 4–8 Year-Olds | 9–13 Year-Olds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Group | Consuming of Each Food Group (%) | Energy (kcal) per Capita | Food Group | Consuming of Each Food Group (%) | Energy (kcal) per Capita | ||
| Australia | 1 | Water 1 | 82.8 | 0 ± 0 | Water 1 | 83.2 | 1 ± 0 |
| 2 | Fruits | 69.7 | 81 ± 3 | Fruits | 58.9 *** | 75 ± 3 | |
| 3 | Cookies & Brownies | 42.8 | 69 ± 5 | Cookies & Brownies | 42.1 | 78 ± 5 | |
| 4 | Savory Snacks | 30.2 | 57 ± 5 | Sweetened Beverages | 36.2 ** | 44 ± 3 | |
| 5 | Sweetened Beverages | 29.9 | 32 ± 3 | Candy | 31.7 | 57 ± 5 *** | |
| 6 | Candy | 27.8 | 33 ± 3 | Milk 2 | 30.7 | 68 ± 5 *** | |
| 7 | Milk 2 | 26.6 | 49 ± 4 | Savory Snacks | 30.3 | 60 ± 5 | |
| 8 | Ice Cream and Other Desserts | 24.6 | 35 ± 3 | Ice Cream and Other Desserts | 25.2 | 47 ± 4 | |
| 9 | Crackers | 23.6 | 28 ± 3 | Crackers | 20.9 | 38 ± 4 | |
| 10 | Breads | 18.5 | 33 ± 4 | Breads | 19.5 | 47 ± 5 | |
| China | 1 | Fruits | 42.9 | 30 ± 2 | Fruits | 41.3 | 36 ± 2 |
| 2 | Milk 2 | 16.0 | 24 ± 4 | Milk 2 | 8.4 *** | 11 ± 2 | |
| 3 | Crackers | 11.4 | 27 ± 3 | Yogurt | 5.9 | 7 ± 1 | |
| 4 | Yogurt | 5.5 | 6 ± 1 | Crackers | 3.4 *** | 11 ± 3 | |
| 5 | Cakes and Pies | 4.5 | 11 ± 2 | Ice Cream and Other Desserts | 3.1 | 3 ± 1 | |
| 6 | Breads | 4.2 | 10 ± 2 | Savory Snacks | 2.3 | 7 ± 2 | |
| 7 | Plant-based Protein Foods | 3.9 | 6 ± 1 | Cakes and Pies | 2.3 * | 5 ± 2 | |
| 8 | Dairy Drinks and Substitutes | 2.8 | 2 ± 1 | Meats 3 | 2.0 | 3 ± 1 | |
| 9 | Ice Cream and Other Desserts | 2.8 | 3 ± 1 | Candy | 1.9 | 5 ± 2 | |
| 10 | Candy | 2.1 | 2 ± 1 | Plant-Based Protein Foods | 1.6 ** | 4 ± 2 | |
| Mexico | 1 | Water 1 | 37.0 | 0 ± 0 | Water 1 | 36.6 | 0 ± 0 |
| 2 | Fruits | 24.3 | 32 ± 3 | Savory Snacks | 24.2 *** | 86 ± 10 *** | |
| 3 | Sweetened Beverages | 19.9 | 28 ± 3 | Sweetened Beverages | 20.0 | 30 ± 3 | |
| 4 | Candy | 19.9 | 14 ± 2 | Fruits | 19.5 *** | 33 ± 5 | |
| 5 | Savory Snacks | 18.5 | 45 ± 4 | Candy | 16.6 ** | 14 ± 2 | |
| 6 | Milk 2 | 8.1 | 14 ± 2 | Cookies & Brownies | 6.0 | 27 ± 6 | |
| 7 | Cookies & Brownies | 7.5 | 26 ± 4 | Cakes and Pies | 5.9 | 22 ± 4 | |
| 8 | Cakes and Pies | 7.1 | 24 ± 3 | Ice Cream and Other Desserts | 5.8 | 9 ± 2 | |
| 9 | Ice Cream and Other Desserts | 6.2 | 10 ± 2 | Pizza and Sandwiches | 5.4 | 33 ± 13 | |
| 10 | Pizza and Sandwiches | 4.8 | 17 ± 3 | Coffee and Tea | 4.0 | 2 ± 1 | |
| US | 1 | Water 1 | 64.8 | 0 ± 0 | Water 1 | 65.3 | 1 ± 0 |
| 2 | Candy | 30.4 | 56 ± 16 | Savory Snacks | 31.0 | 58 ± 8 | |
| 3 | Fruits | 27.6 | 23 ± 1 | Candy | 29.3 | 45 ± 6 | |
| 4 | Savory Snacks | 27.6 | 56 ± 9 | Sweetened Beverages | 28.4 | 46 ± 6 | |
| 5 | Cookies & Brownies | 25.1 | 53 ± 8 | Ice Cream and Other Desserts | 20.1 | 46 ± 4 | |
| 6 | Sweetened Beverages | 24.8 | 25 ± 2 | Fruits | 18.1 *** | 16 ± 2 | |
| 7 | Milk 2 | 22.7 | 30 ± 3 | Cookies & Brownies | 17.3 *** | 37 ± 6 | |
| 8 | Ice Cream and Other Desserts | 22.2 | 35 ± 3 | Milk 2 | 12.3 *** | 16 ± 2 | |
| 9 | Crackers | 17.8 | 24 ± 2 | Cheese | 12.2 | 12 ± 2 | |
| 10 | 100% Juice | 15.1 | 17 ± 2 | Crackers | 10.5 *** | 23 ± 6 | |
1 Water: includes plain water, flavored or enhanced water. 2 Milk: includes milk and flavored milk. 3 Meats: includes meats, poultry, eggs, cured meats, and poultry. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 when comparing percent of consuming of the same food group between younger and older children of the same country.