Parental behaviour in choosing snacks for children aged six to ten: the role of mothers' nutritional awareness

Purpose The objective of this study is to investigate the role of mothers in administering afternoon snacks to children aged between 6 and 10. Through an exploratory analysis, this study aims at identifying how sociodemographic characteristics of mothers and children and objective and subjective nutritional awareness of the parent influences healthy or unhealthy food choices for the children. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was submitted to 242 mothers of children attending primary school. Non-parametric correlation using Spearman's coefficient was adopted as an exploratory analysis tool. Findings The analysis shows that the mothers' level of education and income influence the purchase of snack products. More permissive parents tend to be less well-off, have more than one child and also purchase sweet treats, salty snacks, and sugary drinks more frequently. Furthermore, the results show that parents' perceived subjective awareness is actually lower than their objective awareness, but also that both types of knowledge positively influence the purchase of healthy snacks. Originality/value There is extensive research documenting the importance of parents in reducing the risk of obesity; however, their influence on snack intake has not been widely discussed. Furthermore, the association between the occurrence of obesity and parents' behaviour regarding their children's snacking remains unclear. To bridge this gap, this study focuses on a meal which is often linked to poor eating habits: the afternoon snack.

Automated summary

This study investigates the role of mothers in providing afternoon snacks to children aged between 6 and 10. The findings reveal that mothers' education level and income influence the purchase of snack products, and more permissive parents tend to buy unhealthy snacks. It is also found that parents' subjective awareness of nutrition is lower than their objective awareness, but both types of knowledge positively influence the purchase of healthy snacks.