Association between frequency and types of snacks with sociodemographic factors and school meal intake among school-aged children in Nairobi, Kenya.
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: : Snack consumption is a common dietary practice among school-aged children and contributes 1/3rd to children's daily dietary consumption pattern in Kenya. However, it is not fully understood what school-aged children consume as snack and how different sociodemographic factors and school meal intake associates with snacking. Aims: This study aims to examine the frequency of snack consumption and types of snacks consumed and their associations with sociodemographic factors (child age, gender, BMI, HAZ, guardian education, guardian gender, guardian marital status and area) and school meal intake among school-aged children in Nairobi, Kenya. Participants and Methods: A cross-sectional Foodleader School Survey 2025 was conducted in two schools in Nairobi with 161 children (80 boys and 81 girls). Dietary intake was assessed using two non-consecutive days of 24-hour dietary recall interviews. Sociodemographic and background information was assessed using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize what snacks were consumed, while chi-square tests and logistic regression have been done to assess associations. Results: White bread, white chapati, mixed chai, black tea with sugar, mandazi, cakes, candies and white sugar were the most often consumed snacks. All these were consumed 50 times or more during the interviews. No statistically significant differences between healthy and less healthy snack consumption were found across sociodemographic groups (p > 0.05). No association has been found between children receiving school meals and snack consumption. Conclusion: Snack consumption among Kenyan school-aged children showed a combination of healthy and less healthy snacks. However, less healthy snacks were more frequently consumed. Sociodemographic factors and school meal participation does not have any association with consuming less healthy snacks.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Imran, Neha
Language: English
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7221214110