Breakfast consumption among Saudi primary-school children relative to sex and socio-demographic factors

Hazzaa M Al-Hazzaa,Abdulrahman M Alhowikan,Omar A Obeid,Maha H Alhussain

doi:10.1186/s12889-020-8418-1

Hazzaa M Al-Hazzaa, Abdulrahman M Alhowikan + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8418-1

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Abstract

BackgroundBreakfast is an important meal that provides essential nutrients and energy. However, few comprehensive studies have reported breakfast habits and related behaviors among Saudi children. This study investigated breakfast consumption patterns and the associations of socio-demographic variables with daily breakfast intake among Saudi children.MethodsA multistage stratified cluster random sampling technique was used to select 1051 elementary school boys and girls in Riyadh. Body weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) was computed. The breakfast eating habits and behaviors were assessed using a specifically designed self-reported questionnaire that was completed by the children’s parents.ResultsMore than 79% of children skipped daily breakfast, with no significant sex difference. Children in private schools consumed breakfast more frequently than those attending public schools. Multivariate analyses showed that boys in private schools had a significantly higher intake of breakfast than that in boys in public schools, yet, boys in public schools had significantly higher BMI than boys in private schools. Using logistic regression while adjusting for confounders showed insignificant effect for parent education. Among breakfast eaters, spread cheese sandwiches were consumed most frequently, followed by fried egg sandwiches and breakfast cereals. Full-fat milk, tea with milk, water, and fruit juice were the most consumed drinks. Girls consumed significantly more fresh fruits during breakfast than did boys. Mothers prepared breakfast at home most of the time (84.5%). Parents appeared mostly satisfied with the breakfast consumed by their child at home and placed high importance on breakfast compared to lunch or dinner.ConclusionsThe proportion of school children who ate daily breakfast at home was low, which may have implications for children’s school performance. Effort is needed to promote daily breakfast consumption among Saudi school children and to introduce appropriate interventions aimed at promoting daily breakfast consumption among Saudi children.

Highlights

Breakfast is an important meal that provides essential nutrients and energy
Full-fat milk, tea with milk, water, and fruit juice were the drinks most consumed by the children
Multivariate analyses showed that boys in private schools had a significantly higher intake of breakfast than that in boys in public schools, yet boys in public schools had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) than that in boys in private schools

Summary

Introduction

Breakfast is an important meal that provides essential nutrients and energy. Breakfast is an important meal of the day, providing essential nutrients to support normal growth and re-fueling energy after long hours of sleep [1]. Family environment and structure have been shown to influence breakfast behaviors. Children living with both parents were more likely to consume breakfast compared to those living with a single parent [8, 9]. A study with a large number of adolescents from ten European cities reported that the factors most associated with breakfast consumption included girls with highly educated mothers, boys with traditional families, boys encouraged by their parents, and girls whose peers ate healthy diets [10]. Barriers to breakfast consumption are diverse; among elementary school children in Bangkok, the key barriers were lack of time, waking late, and no breakfast prepared at home [11]

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