Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The savory snack market, worth over $35 billion, typically manufactures products that are durable, accessible, inexpensive, and easy to eat out of a bag or package. This research examines the percentage of the U.S. population by socio-demographic groups who consumed chips, flavored snacks, popcorn and pretzels (referred to here as savory snack foods) on a given day during 2015–2016. METHODS: The study sample included nationally representative data from children aged 2–19 years (n = 2901), and adults aged 20 + years (n = 5017) participating in What We Eat in America (WWEIA), NHANES 2015–2016. Dietary intake data, obtained from an in-person 24-hour recall, were collected using the interviewer-administered 5-step USDA Automated Multiple-Pass Method. Percentages, who consumed savory snack foods any time during the intake day, were estimated using the following WWEIA Food Categories: potato chips, tortilla/corn/other chips, popcorn, and pretzels/snack mix. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.01. RESULTS: Consumption of savory snack foods was higher among children (47%) compared to adults (33%). Among race/ethnicity groups, a lower percentage of non-Hispanic Asian adults (24%) consumed a savory snack food compared to both non-Hispanic white adults (35%) and non-Hispanic black adults (36%). Consumption was lower among Hispanic adults (27%) compared to non-Hispanic white adults. Differences were not significant among children. In addition, among income groups, there were no differences for both adults and children. With respect to mean daily amount consumed among all consumers, intake of savory snack foods was about 40 g, which provided 200 kcal. CONCLUSIONS: On any given day, more than one in three Americans consumed a savory snack food weighing about 1½ ounces. The results of this research highlight the widespread consumption of savory snacks by U.S. adults of all income levels, and by children of all race/ethnic backgrounds and income levels. FUNDING SOURCES: USDA, Agriculture Research Service.