Breakfast practice and anthropometric characteristics of school age children in Oyo metropolis, Oyo state, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Information on current gaps in the breakfast practice is important to design appropriate intervention message and strategies to promote appropriate breakfast practices among school age children. Objective: This study was therefore designed to assess the breakfast practice and anthropometric characteristics of school age children in Oyo metropolis, Nigeria. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 1038 public school pupils selected using a three-stage sampling technique across Oyo metropolis, southwest Nigeria.A semi-structured, intervieweradministered questionnaire was used to elicit information on the socio-demographic characteristics and breakfast consumption of the pupils. Height and weight were assessed and analysed using standard procedure. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics at p<0.05. Results: Age was 11.18±4.7 years, 54.3% were females, 16.9% were underweight and 5.5% were overweight/obese.The rates of breakfast intake and skipping were 91.5% and 8.5%, respectively. About 95% of pupilsconsumed breakfast before the 9.00amand92.2% had satisfaction with breakfast intake. About 49% had experienced hunger pang in school, of which 72.8% usually occurred between the 11:00am and 1.00pm of the day. Most pupils (94.2%) had access to school living allowance, and most purchased item was drinks and beverages (52.0%). The predominant breakfast meals were rice(61.5%), beans (31.2%) and bread (9.5%). Conclusion: Breakfast habit among school age children in Oyo metropolis was characterized by low but unacceptable level of meal skipping, low intake of fruits, seeds and nuts, and animal based foods including eggs and dairy products.