Browsing by Subject "ruokavalinnat"

Tiivistelmä - Referat - Abstract The consumption of snacks has increased during the last few years. Nowadays more common to replace complete meals with different kinds of snacks. This study examines what kinds of criteria do families with children have towards consuming snacks and how the healthiness of different snacks is taken into consideration. The study reflects on how families with children experience healthy eating and how bread is involved in their snack culture. The purpose of the study is to find out what kinds of snacks are consumed in families with children during their leisure time and to clarify what kind of requirements the families have towards the snacks their children are consuming. The research data was collected via a closed online group discussion combined with an online enquiry that were issued in a social network service Facebook. The group discussion and the online enquiry both had 10 parent participants. The research data was supported by a commercial consumer survey about the consumption of bread in families with children. The data gathered from the group discussion and the online enquiry were divided into three major themes that are healthiness, choosing a snack and foodscape. These themes were chosen in order to support the study questions. The primary method of analysis in this study is material-based content analysis, even though quantitative methods were utilized in the online enquiry. Snack practices during the free time of families with children were based on many food choices and foodscape factors, especially cost, taste and healthiness. Snacks were consumed at least three times per week, typically on a daily basis. Snacks were purchased usually from a supermarket and eaten at home. Bread was the most popular snack in families with children and bread was experienced to be healthy because of its richness in fibre. Families with children are hoping to find more options in snacks intended and designed for children that would be healthy as well. As a conclusion, healthiness was a desirable quality for snacks in families with children. The results of this study are aligned with previous studies related to snacks. In the future research could be made about how gender affects children’s and adolescents’ eating habits.