Abstract This study describes differences in considerations and value conflicts between mothers living in the North and the South of Italy during snack provision to their 2–7 years old children. Semi-structured interviews with 20 mothers living in the North and 20 mothers living in the South of Italy were conducted. Participants matched on educational level and weight status. Mothers’ considerations in snack provision were grouped into four key themes: health-related, child-related, time-related, and product-related. North Italian mothers showed more health-related considerations while providing a snack compared to mothers living in the South. In case mothers from the South mentioned healthiness as a consideration, it was often related to giving energy. The child-related key theme revealed that a snack needs to be liked by the child, otherwise Italian mothers do not provide it. For the time-related key theme, differences were small between North and South Italian mothers. The product-related key theme showed the brand to be more important for South Italian mothers. Mothers from the North of Italy experienced more value conflicts, all related to health. The current studied showed that even within the same country, geographical differences in mothers’ considerations and value conflicts for providing snacks exist. This implies that snack choice, considerations and values seem to be influenced by tradition and family culture.

中文翻译：

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妈妈们为孩子选择零食的注意事项：意大利北部和南部的差异

摘要 本研究描述了生活在意大利北部和南部的母亲在为 2-7 岁孩子提供零食时的考虑差异和价值冲突。对居住在意大利北部的 20 位母亲和居住在意大利南部的 20 位母亲进行了半结构式访谈。参与者的教育水平和体重状况相匹配。母亲在零食供应方面的考虑分为四个关键主题：健康相关、儿童相关、时间相关和产品相关。与居住在意大利南部的母亲相比，意大利北部的母亲在提供零食时表现出更多与健康相关的考虑。如果来自南方的母亲提到健康是一个考虑因素，这通常与给予能量有关。儿童相关的关键主题揭示了一种零食需要孩子喜欢，否则意大利妈妈不提供。对于与时间相关的关键主题，意大利北部和南部的母亲之间的差异很小。与产品相关的关键主题表明该品牌对于南意大利的母亲来说更为重要。来自意大利北部的母亲经历了更多的价值冲突，都与健康有关。目前的研究表明，即使在同一国家内，母亲在提供零食方面的考虑和价值冲突也存在地域差异。这意味着零食的选择、考虑和价值观似乎受到传统和家庭文化的影响。来自意大利北部的母亲经历了更多的价值冲突，都与健康有关。目前的研究表明，即使在同一国家内，母亲在提供零食方面的考虑和价值冲突也存在地域差异。这意味着零食的选择、考虑和价值观似乎受到传统和家庭文化的影响。来自意大利北部的母亲经历了更多的价值冲突，都与健康有关。目前的研究表明，即使在同一国家内，母亲在提供零食方面的考虑和价值冲突也存在地域差异。这意味着零食的选择、考虑和价值观似乎受到传统和家庭文化的影响。