Breakfast intake and Associated Factors among Primary School Students in Selected Private and Public Schools, Kakata City, Margibi County- Liberia

Abstract

Breakfast consumption has been shown to positively affect children’s cognitive performance. The objective of this study was to compare the breakfast intake of primary school students attending private and public schools. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Kakata City, Margibi County among 129 private and public school students in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. Private and public-school students were compared based on their religious practices, age range, educational and employment status of parents, and gender using the Chi-square test. The study found that 42% of private-school children and 35 percent of public school children ate breakfast prepared at home by parents. Private school children ate their breakfast most often at home, regardless of whether it was prepared at home or elsewhere (92% vs. 89%). On average, private school children added fruits (36% vs. 18%) and vegetables (35% vs. 14%) to their breakfast more than their public-school counterparts. Sugar was regularly added to 58% of private school children and 44% of public school children’s breakfasts. Private school children consumed milk during breakfast more than public school children (50% vs. 40%). Furthermore, private school children ate less oil during breakfast compared with public school children (64% vs. 83%). Finally, private school children consumed breakfast more regularly than public school children (49% vs. 38%). In conclusion, Private school children appeared to consume more diverse food during breakfast than their public-school counterparts. Nutrition promotion intervention should be aimed at extending free school feeding programs to all public and private primary schools.