Snacking patterns in obese French women.

Snacking patterns were studied in 273 obese women by dietary history. Snacking was observed in 60% of the sample and occurred mainly during the afternoon. Total daily energy intake was higher in snackers than in non-snackers because of greater consumption of food at meals and between meals. A variety of foods were consumed as snacks (mean macronutrient content of snacks: 52% carbohydrate (CHO), 37% lipid and 12% proteins). CHO-rich protein-free snacks were a minority (20%). Only 7% of subjects were CHO-rich protein-free snackers. The eating pattern described by Wurtman in "carbohydrate cravers" was reported by less than 10% of these women. We conclude that, in Paris, snacking plays an important role in increasing energy consumption in obese women but macronutrient-specific snacking is not frequent.