TABLE 1.
Overview of snacking recommendations from global or regional authorities
| Authority, year | Countries | Target | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| (reference) | reached | population group | of recommendation |
| WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2012 (40) | Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen | All | Quantitative recommendation for underweight (5 small meals and snacks to include high-fat foods) |
| Gives examples of foods to limit (e.g., sweetened beverages and foods, cakes, baklava, cookies, knafeh, confectionery) and snacks to choose (e.g., raw, fresh or dried fruit and vegetables, whole-grain–based snacks and cereals, plain popcorn) | |||
| WHO Asia Region, 2011 (41) | Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Democratic People`s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Lao People`s Democratic Republic, Maldives, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam | Children aged 2–18 y | Quantitative recommendation for number of daily snacks for 2–12 y olds (2/d), 12–18 y olds (1/d); qualitative recommendation for “nutritious snacks” |
| WHO, 2015 (42) | Global | All | Gives examples of snacks to limit (e.g., salty snack foods and sugary snacks) and snacks to choose (raw fruit and vegetables) |
| Nordic Council of Ministers, 2012 (43) | Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Åland | All | Gives examples of foods to limit (e.g., savory snacks, foods high in fat and added sugar) for energy density and dental caries risk |
| Mediterranean Diet Foundation, 2016 (44) | Mediterranean regions | All | Recommends fruit, nuts, and seeds for snacks |
| FAO, 2007 (45) | Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent, and the Grenadines | All | Recommends reduced consumption of salty and high-fat snacks (e.g., chips and cheese curls) and choice of nutrient-dense snacks |
| WHO, 2003 (46) | Global | All | Links snacking/eating frequency to overweight/obesity; gives examples of foods to limit (e.g., packaged snacks and sugar-sweetened soft drinks) |