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Young Children’s Perceptions on Meals and Snacks: Quantity, Occasion, and Quality

Tingting Xu

This study investigated young children?s understanding about meals and snacks, and their perceived differences between meals and snacks. Fifty-two children from preschool, kindergarten, and second grade shared their opinions. Qualitative results indicated the limited understanding about meals and snacks among this group of children; the physical attributes such as portion size, food examples, and time occasions were frequently used to describe and classify meals and snacks. Their perceptions and knowledge increased when aging; children in second grade hold more knowledge towards meals and snacks as well as their differences. Finding from this study is important and may hold important health implications for interventions towards child obesity.