Snacking Behaviours of Middle and Elder Adults in China during from 1991 to 2006 and Its Factors

【Objective】 To describe shift in snacking behavior among Chinese middle and elder adults aged 45 years old and over.【Method】Three waves of data,collected in 1991,2004 and 2006,from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) were used in the paper.Logistic regressions of pooled data were performed to analyze the main factors of snacking and nutrients intake pattern of subjects who snack compared with those who didn't snack.【Results】Prevalence of snacking had an increasing trend over time.Income level,education level,area of resident and physical activity level were all important factors of snacking.【Conclusion】 Snacking behaviors,as a key determination of dietary structure,has been experienced a specific transition.SES plays a vital role in the stages of the snacking behavior transition in China.Future health promotion programs targeting the higher-SES population will exert farreaching effects on the improvement of health status.