Consumer Snacking Behaviour in Urban Areas of Thailand

Abstract

Consumer snacking behaviour survey in urban areas of Thailand, which was conducted on 522 of 12-60 year old respondents found that 96% of them had snacking habit. The proportion of snacking people decreased in the older groups. In addition, the female in the ages of 19-22 and older than 35 year old tended to have snacks more than the male in the same characters did. The results showed that the consumers in the Northern part and in the ages of 12-18 consumed snack more frequently on the daily basis than any other consumers. Fresh fruits, bakery products, and potato chips were the most popular foods consumed as snacks throughout the day. The Northern consumers tended to consume more bakery products as snack than any other products. While the Southern consumers had more Thai desserts and candies but less jellies. Potato chips and fish snacks were more consumed by the consumers in the ages of 12-18 than any other age, while popcorn was more snacked by the older than 35 year old consumers than any other age. The consumption of ice cream, chocolate, candies, and jellies were decreased when the age of consumers increased. While fresh fruit, nuts, and Thai desserts were more consumed by the older groups. Additionally, the 12-18 year old and over 35 year old consumers consumed the preserved fruits more than any other age, and the female consumed fresh fruits, bakery products, and jellies more than the male did.