Contribution of Frequent Snacking to the Energy, Sugar, and Sodium Intakes of Adolescents Aged 13- 18 During the COVID-19 Pandemic Under Alert Level 1 Restrictions

Globally and in the Philippines, cases of overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) among adolescents have been labeled as a public health concern. Studies showed that unhealthy snacking contributes to excessive energy intake, which can lead to OW and OB. The home confinement brought by the COVID 19 pandemic resulted in increased snacking and decreased fresh food consumption among adolescents. This study aimed to determine the contribution of frequent snacking to the energy, sugar, and sodium intakes of adolescents aged 13- 18 during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional research utilizing the stratified random sampling was conducted. A total of 32 participants were enrolled in the study from schools of Timoteo Paez Integrated School in Manila; Orani National High School and Saint John Academy in Bataan. A demographic questionnaire was used to collect relevant information of the participants and a 3-day non consecutive estimated food record (FR) was used to gather their average food consumption. FRs showed that adolescents did not engage in frequent snacking. Frequent snacking is weakly correlated (r=0.360) with the total energy intake. The sugar intake taken from snacking has a moderately strong correlation (r=0.495) with the total sugar intake. Furthermore, the sodium intake from snacking has a very weak correlation (r=0.100) to the total sodium intake and is not statistically significant (p=0.586). Locally, the COVID-19 pandemic is weakly correlated with the increased energy consumption as intakes were below the recommendations across ages. Findings root that food preparation and choices during meals and snacking occasions have significantly contributed to the added sugar and sodium intakes