Breakfast Skipping and Dietary Adequacy of Primary School Children in Cairo

To determine the prevalence of breakfast skipping and its contribution to dietary adequacy among school children, 2818 children (50.3% boys, 49.7% girls) 10-11 years-old in 25 primary governmental schools in Cairo were studied. Results indicate that 34.9% of children skipped breakfast. Reasons for skipping breakfast were discussed, the most common were that the children were not habituated to eat breakfast and they were afraid to miss early morning session in the school. Girls were significantly more likely to skip breakfast than boys (54.2% girls, 45.8%boys). The average total energy intake was significantly lower for children who skipped breakfast (mean = 1, 268 kcal) as compared to that for children who consumed breakfast at home (mean = l, 566kcal). More than one third of breakfast skippers consumed < 50% of Recommended calories and iron, and more than three quarters of the same group consumed < 50% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin A and calcium. Comparison of the five types of consumed breakfasts revealed that the average breakfast containing beans, bread and beverage (Group 5) had the highest contents of 17 nutrients than did the other four groups. These findings show the importance of having breakfast before leaving home.