Fatty acid and salt contents of snacks in the Cretan and Cypriot market: A child and adolescent dietary hazard

Adult, adolescent and childhood obesity is a growing public health problem, worldwide. The increase in the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents is believed to be partly attributable to an increase in the consumption of snacks that are high in fat and sugar, and make up a substantial percentage of daily calorie intakes. Our results show a high to very high salt content in almost all of the brands analysed, with salt contents ranging from 0.8 to 3.9 g per 100 g of product (mean value 2.05 ± 0.73 g). The total fat content of brands differed, ranging from 9% to 46% (mean value 31 ± 8.4%). Calories, due solely to fat, also ranged widely from 82 to 413 kcal/100 g of product with an average value of 283 ± 76 kcal. Our results underline the need for stricter regulations and/or the need to inform children and adolescents on the true content of such snacks.