Study examines snacking habits around the world

From Hayward to Hanoi, people love their snacks.

An exhaustive study by the Nielson Research Company looks at habits around the world. The company found that people are snacking more, spending nearly $400 billion a year.

However, everyone snacks differently. Americans like potato chips while Europeans love their chocolate.

In Latin America, people spend more on cookies and cake than anything else.

In the Middle East and Africa, people split between salty snacks and candy.

One of the biggest findings to come out of the study is that more and more people are choosing to eat snacks instead of regular meals.

Researchers say there is not enough time to sit down and eat, so everyone is eating on the go.