Breakfast eating habits and nutritional status of primary school children in Orumba South local government area of Anambra State Nigeria

Ogech Ukegbu Patricia, . Breakfast eating habits and nutritional status of primary school children in Orumba South local government area of Anambra State Nigeria. pp. 299-307. ISSN 1394-035X

Introduction: This study was carried out to describe breakfast eating habits and nutritional status of primary school children in rural areas of Anambra state Nigeria. Methods : The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey involving 358 primary school children (aged 6-11 years) randomly selected from 5 private primary schools in Anambra state. A pre-tested questionnaire on dietary habits breakfast eating habits and content of breakfasts was used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi square. Results : The mean age of the children was 8.20.7years. The percentage of children who reported taking breakfast on the day of the study was 77.7 while 71.2 ate breakfast 25 times per week. Those who skipped breakfast cited waking up late (48.8) and lack of enough food at home (43.8) as reasons for skipping breakfast. Breakfast was usually consumed at home by 90.6 of the children. Foods in the bread/cereal group (61.5) and tea/cocoa beverages (59.7) were commonly consumed for breakfast. The snacks brought to school were mainly pastry products (78.8). The prevalence of underweight stunting and wasting among the children were 15.9 27.4 and 20.7 respectively. Those who consumed breakfast more than 5 times a week were more likely to have better weight-for-age status than their counterparts (X6.690;p0.043) (P0.05). Conclusion : Most of the children were reportedly used to having daily breakfast. However there is a need to assess the nutritional quality and adequacy of breakfasts consumed by young children.

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Abstract

Introduction: This study was carried out to describe breakfast eating habits and nutritional status of primary school children in rural areas of Anambra state Nigeria. Methods : The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey involving 358 primary school children (aged 6-11 years) randomly selected from 5 private primary schools in Anambra state. A pre-tested questionnaire on dietary habits breakfast eating habits and content of breakfasts was used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi square. Results : The mean age of the children was 8.20.7years. The percentage of children who reported taking breakfast on the day of the study was 77.7 while 71.2 ate breakfast 25 times per week. Those who skipped breakfast cited waking up late (48.8) and lack of enough food at home (43.8) as reasons for skipping breakfast. Breakfast was usually consumed at home by 90.6 of the children. Foods in the bread/cereal group (61.5) and tea/cocoa beverages (59.7) were commonly consumed for breakfast. The snacks brought to school were mainly pastry products (78.8). The prevalence of underweight stunting and wasting among the children were 15.9 27.4 and 20.7 respectively. Those who consumed breakfast more than 5 times a week were more likely to have better weight-for-age status than their counterparts (X6.690;p0.043) (P0.05). Conclusion : Most of the children were reportedly used to having daily breakfast. However there is a need to assess the nutritional quality and adequacy of breakfasts consumed by young children.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Food habits
AGROVOC Term:	Eating
AGROVOC Term:	School meals
AGROVOC Term:	Nutritional status
AGROVOC Term:	School children
AGROVOC Term:	Nutrition surveys
AGROVOC Term:	Anthropometry
AGROVOC Term:	Data analysis
AGROVOC Term:	Nutritional assessment of foods
AGROVOC Term:	Nutritional value
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:54
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/8052

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