Snack Consumption Patterns among Rural and Urban Elementary Students in Lhokseumawe
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37287/ijghr.v8i6.2789Keywords:
child health, food environment, rural, school health, snacking, urbanAbstract
Snack consumption is common among elementary school children and may either support nutrient intake or increase exposure to foods high in sugar, salt, and fat. This study compared snack consumption behaviour among elementary school children in rural and urban areas of Lhokseumawe and analysed its association with snacking motivation, snack characteristics, social environment, and snack availability. An observational analytic cross-sectional study was conducted among 141 fourth- and fifth-grade students selected by simple random sampling from SDN 1 Blang Mangat and SDN 1 Banda Sakti. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that had undergone validity and reliability testing and were analysed using chi-square or Fisher exact tests, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals. Poor snack consumption behaviour was more common among rural students (52.8%), whereas good behaviour was more common among urban students (56.5%). In rural areas, no studied variable was significantly associated with snack consumption behaviour. In urban areas, motivation, snack characteristics, social environment, and snack availability were all significantly associated with snack consumption behaviour. Snack consumption behaviour differed between rural and urban students, indicating that school nutrition promotion should be adapted to local food environments.
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