Abstract
BackgroundThere is growing recognition of the important role of breakfast in children’s nutrition, and the potential harms related to skipping breakfast, including its contribution to obesity and non-communicable diseases. The patterns associated with skipping breakfast may be related to the nutrition transition. This study aimed at exploring the composition of breakfast consumed by Palestinian school children and their perceptions toward this meal. It also aimed at exploring skipping breakfast prevalence, reasons, and its association with selected schoolchildren’s sociodemographic variables and behavioral patterns.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 12- to 14-year-old schoolchildren from 4 governmental schools in urban and rural areas of the Jenin district in Palestine. The questionnaire included information about children and parents sociodemographic and behaviours, breakfast patterns and composition, reasons for skipping breakfast, and items on schoolchildren’s perception toward breakfast. Statistical analysis of the relevant factors was undertaken using SPSS software.ResultsIn a sample of 193 schoolchildren, only 32% reported consuming breakfast all year round. The main reasons reported for skipping breakfast were not feeling hungry, not having the time, and lack of appetite. The vast majority (79%) believed breakfast was beneficial for general health. Sleeping before 10 pm, regular exercise (p value < 0.05). and shorter screen time were all significantly associated with a higher level of breakfast consumption (p value < 0.01).ConclusionUnderstanding the reasons for missing or skipping breakfast factors which make skipping it more likely, should inform public health strategies to promote breakfast consumption. For example, our findings suggest that awareness of the importance of breakfast was not a significant contributor to skipping breakfast, compared to other structural and cultural factors.
Highlights
A lot has been researched, written and published about the nutritional transition in low and middle income settings [1]
Using the chi square test, the results show that there is no relationship between breakfast consumption in general, schooldays, or on weekends, gender, grade, family type, and parents ‘education, or parents’ work status
For continuous variables in the lifestyle, the results show a significant relationship between breakfast consumption and screen time; students who eat breakfast every day reported shorter screen time (3.3 ± 2.3) hours/ day, students who sometimes eat breakfast (4.66 ± 3.1) hours compared to who always skip breakfast (5.4 ± 2.7) hours/ day, p < 0.01 using one way ANOVA test
Summary
A lot has been researched, written and published about the nutritional transition in low and middle income settings [1]. In Palestine, such new dietary habits include an increased consumption of saturated fats, reduced fruit and vegetable intake, and reduced fibre intake They include an increasing prevalence of skipping breakfast [2]. Skipping breakfast is highest among adolescents, who are at risk of poorer academic performance and physical growth [7] This makes this issue vitally important in the Palestinian context where one-quarter of the population is made up of adolescents [8]. This study aimed at exploring the composition of breakfast consumed by Palestinian school children and their perceptions toward this meal It aimed at exploring skipping breakfast prevalence, reasons, and its association with selected schoolchildren’s sociodemographic variables and behavioral patterns
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