On-the-go nutrition snacking for the children s market The changing role of snacking

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1 On-the-go nutrition snacking for the children s market The changing role of snacking Dr Kathryn O Sullivan nutrition scientist drk@nutritionscientist.co.uk

2 Meal habits are changing Breakfast lunch Evening meal Elevenses After school Bedtime Snack Snacking Vehicle to supplement diet Missing nutrients Meet higher energy requirements Break the fast Positive habit to achieve adequate nutrition

3 Snacking plays a role in healthy eating for children Smaller appetites Increased energy requirements (growth & expenditure) BUT.dramatic increases in diet related illnesses and changes in eating habits Gradual erosion of 3 square meal times Constant grazing society? Snacks synonymous with treats? Snack foods as part of main meals? - Is snacking habit contributing to - excess kcal consumption? - empty kcals? -obesity?

4 The changing role of snacking in UK kids diets: The STATS snack foods Snacking (outside meal) Increasing since /day 32% kcals 9% total sugar 11% total fat Public Health England 50% sugar comes from unhealthy snacks & sugary drinks... children consume three times more sugar than recommended. Blythman (2006).. Today children consume 25 times more confectionery and 30 times more soft drinks than they did in PHE (2018), Kerr (2009), Blythman (2006)

5 Impact : UK CHILDHOOD OBESITY EPIDEMIC

6 Obesity is a political issue: Children must be protected

7 Causes of obesity multifactorial Home Convenience Treats Preferences form early in life Working mothers, longer working hours, time poor families, fewer meal occasions, grazing, inactivity sedentary UK Children s diets 92% too much saturated fat 86% too much sugar 14% kcals from sugar (5% rec) 72% too much salt 96% not enough fruit and veg 30% 5 year olds have tooth decay BUT nutrient deficiencies exist Energy expenditure declining over 50 years, Energy consumption needs recalibration 2600kcals/d to 1750 kcals/d today Weichselbaum (2014) NDNS, Nicklaus (2004) Birch (1999)

8 Paradox: obesity increasing but malnutrition exists! Deficiency Vitamins Minerals Fibre BNF (2014) Nut Bull 39, 9-73

9 Children at risk of nutritional deficiency 30% girls iron deficiency anemia 20% teens Vitamin D deficiency & bone problems Vitamin D supplements recommended for under 5 s Bates (2014)

10 Is snacking contributing to poor diets & obesity? 38% parents in the UK are frustrated they cannot find low sugar snacks suitable for their children s lunch boxes Netmums 09/17 Empty kcals?

11 Confusion Frequency of consumption Food eaten outside a main meal Specific type of food treat What is snacking?.snacking contributes 30% of children s nutrient intakes (protein, carbohydrate, fat, fibre, iron, calcium, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, carotene & vitamin C) Adams (2005)

12 The evidence: is snacking (meal frequency) healthy? Effect on diet Provide at risk nutrients Better overall diet quality in children May prevent over eating Effect on health Appetite control & satiety 22% reduction in risk of overweight or obese (meta analysis) Lower BMI & waist circumference 10 years teens study lower total & LDL cholesterol, lower Blood pressure Reduced risk of heart disease may modulate insulin response in children Improves memory in school age children Snacking recommended weight lost programs BUT depends on type of snacks consumed Evans (2014), Miller (2013), Richie (2012), Toschke (2012), Kong (2011), Bhutani (2009), Muthayya (2007)

13 If snacking (frequency of consumption) has benefits how do we promote healthy snacking? Education consumers, parent, children, schools Genuinely healthy snacks Taste & palatability Reformulation Availability Mainstream Small producers Dedicated shelf space for snacks (not treats)

14 What s a genuinely healthy snack? Change for Life (DoH campaign) 100kcal snack Two a day..choose snacks with more greens and ambers on the label, and cut down on snacks that show any reds. NHS Change4Life Not perfect / Crude but useful tools / No perfect food reduce undesirable nutrients: kcals, fat, sugars, salt BUT replace empty kcals with nutrient dense foods

15 snacking can improve diet quality when the right foods are selected Redefine the snack category from unhealthy indulgence to foods that can help consumers meet their nutrient needs. 1. Low in undesirable nutrients (kcals, fat, sugar, salt) 2. High in beneficial nutrients (protein, fibre, vitamins, mineral) 3. Free from (allergens, artifical additive) BUT taste is still the #1 driver in food decisions Reformulation Inherently genuinely healthier natural/wholefoods

16 Case study

17 - Roasted chickpeas & fava beans, - Wholefood - Naturally high in PLANT protein, for healthy growth - Naturally high in fibre - Nutrient dense - Twice protein of corn - 4 times fibre of brown rice. - Significantly less fat than nuts & crisps - Free from gluten, nuts, eggs and dairy, - Vegan - Sustainable

18 Change4life 100kcals Traffic lights Nutrient dense High in fibre High in protein Allergen free Portable Whole food

19 Healthier snack rating : reducing negatives, increase positives

20 Healthy snacks need to be genuinely healthy

21 On-the-go nutrition snacking for the children s market Barriers to progress

22 Genuinely healthy snacks Snacking habits fundamentally governed by what foods are available & accessible Must be appealing taste & palatability are fundamental because snacking.. Is important part of a healthy diet for children Can provide necessary nutrients however sugars & fat tend to be over consumed at snacking occasions. Increased consumption of kcal (via fat & sugar) controlled snacks could increase the intake of important micronutrients without contributing to dietary excesses Replacement of current snack choices with nutrient dense foods could lower the risks of nutrient deficiencies and help manage and prevent obesity in children

23 Healthy snacks need an outstanding combination of nutritional attributes

24 Healthy snacks can look fun too

25 Healthy can be Fun & Tasty

26 Healthy snacks need to fulfil an on-the-go planned snacking requirement Portion size matters

27 Portability

28 Healthy snacks need their own space in-store

29 Where to find them?

30 Healthy snacks need to taste great

31 Summary Healthy snacks need to be genuinely healthy Combination of nutritional attributes can help define rather than just one measure. Labelling can make decision making easier. Healthy snacks need greater availability in impulse. No compromise on taste. Taste