Where Do Adults Obtain Snacks? What We Eat in America, NHANES, 2013–2016 (P18-115-19)

Snacking among American adults has increased over the past few decades. However, data are limited on where adults obtain foods and beverages consumed as snacks. This research examines reports of snack occasions by where food/beverage items were obtained. The study included nationally representative data from 9861 adults ages 20+ (excluding pregnant and lactating women), participating in What We Eat in America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2016. Dietary intake data, obtained from an in-person 24-hour recall, were collected using an interviewer-administered 5-step USDA Automated Multiple-Pass Method. For each food/beverage reported, participants were asked name of eating occasion, self-selected from a fixed list, and source where the item was obtained. Snack occasions included snack, drink, and extended consumption. (Water reported as the only item as a snack occasion was excluded.) Sources where snack was obtained were grouped as grocery store, convenience store, quick service restaurant, full service restaurant, from someone else/gift, and other. Overall 86% of adults reported at least one snack occasion, contributing 23% of daily energy; results were similar for males and females. The percentage ± SE of snack reporters obtaining at least one food or beverage from a specific source was highest (86 ± 0.6%) for grocery stores, followed by convenience stores (20 ± 0.8%), from someone else/gift (19 ± 0.6%), quick service restaurants (12 ± 0.5%), other (8 ± 0.5%), and full service restaurants (4 ± 0.4%). Females (88%) were more likely to obtain a snack item from a grocery store than males (85%, P = .002), while males (24%) were more likely to obtain a snack item from a convenience store than females (16%, P = < .0001). From convenience stores, 51%, 30%, and 20% of snack reporters obtained a beverage only, a food only, and a food and beverage, respectively. While grocery stores are the primary source for obtaining foods and beverages for snack occasions, one out of five adults obtained at least one snack item from a convenience store. This highlights the importance of convenience stores to U.S. dietary intake. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.