Breakfast Skipping and Academic Performance Among Senior Secondary School Students in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the influence of skipping breakfast on academic performance of secondary school students.Design, Setting and ParticipantsA descriptive survey design among 100 senior secondary two (SS 2) students who were randomly selected from five secondary schools located in education district III of Lagos state, Nigeria.Outcome Measures and AnalysisData was collected by means of a pre-tested questionnaire. Academic scores in English language and Mathematics were also collected. Simple percentage, chi square and correlation were used to analyze data.ResultsFindings revealed that majority (74%) of the adolescent students were between 14-16 years, while majority (78%) skips breakfast. Also majority (55%) of the students can participate for only 10 minutes out of a 40-minutes classroom lesson. The results also showed a significant relationship(r=.456) between breakfast skipping and academic performance in key subjects (English language and Mathematics) at 0.01 level. A significant relationship also exists between breakfast consumption, classroom participation and academic performance at 0.05 level of significance. Students who do not skip breakfast participate more effectively in class and this has a positive influence on their academic performance.Conclusions and ImplicationsSkipping of breakfast is associated with lower nutritional status which consequently leads to low academic performance. Nutrition Education package for adolescents in Nigeria should be developed. Nutritionists can help by communicating correct nutrition information to adolescents through the state schools’ board. The schools’ canteen should be encouraged to provide low-cost breakfast dishes.FundingNone. ObjectiveTo assess the influence of skipping breakfast on academic performance of secondary school students. To assess the influence of skipping breakfast on academic performance of secondary school students. Design, Setting and ParticipantsA descriptive survey design among 100 senior secondary two (SS 2) students who were randomly selected from five secondary schools located in education district III of Lagos state, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design among 100 senior secondary two (SS 2) students who were randomly selected from five secondary schools located in education district III of Lagos state, Nigeria. Outcome Measures and AnalysisData was collected by means of a pre-tested questionnaire. Academic scores in English language and Mathematics were also collected. Simple percentage, chi square and correlation were used to analyze data. Data was collected by means of a pre-tested questionnaire. Academic scores in English language and Mathematics were also collected. Simple percentage, chi square and correlation were used to analyze data. ResultsFindings revealed that majority (74%) of the adolescent students were between 14-16 years, while majority (78%) skips breakfast. Also majority (55%) of the students can participate for only 10 minutes out of a 40-minutes classroom lesson. The results also showed a significant relationship(r=.456) between breakfast skipping and academic performance in key subjects (English language and Mathematics) at 0.01 level. A significant relationship also exists between breakfast consumption, classroom participation and academic performance at 0.05 level of significance. Students who do not skip breakfast participate more effectively in class and this has a positive influence on their academic performance. Findings revealed that majority (74%) of the adolescent students were between 14-16 years, while majority (78%) skips breakfast. Also majority (55%) of the students can participate for only 10 minutes out of a 40-minutes classroom lesson. The results also showed a significant relationship(r=.456) between breakfast skipping and academic performance in key subjects (English language and Mathematics) at 0.01 level. A significant relationship also exists between breakfast consumption, classroom participation and academic performance at 0.05 level of significance. Students who do not skip breakfast participate more effectively in class and this has a positive influence on their academic performance. Conclusions and ImplicationsSkipping of breakfast is associated with lower nutritional status which consequently leads to low academic performance. Nutrition Education package for adolescents in Nigeria should be developed. Nutritionists can help by communicating correct nutrition information to adolescents through the state schools’ board. The schools’ canteen should be encouraged to provide low-cost breakfast dishes. Skipping of breakfast is associated with lower nutritional status which consequently leads to low academic performance. Nutrition Education package for adolescents in Nigeria should be developed. Nutritionists can help by communicating correct nutrition information to adolescents through the state schools’ board. The schools’ canteen should be encouraged to provide low-cost breakfast dishes.