ARCHIVES
VOL. 10, ISSUE 4 (2025)
To appraise the breakfast eating habits of school children in rural and urban areas of Varanasi district of U.P.
Authors
Hemlata Pal, Dr. Smita Gautam
Abstract
Breakfast is the most essential meal of the
day which provides essential nutrients for optimal health. A nutritious
breakfast helps to maintain energy levels and supports overall wellbeing of the
children. Eating breakfast regularly facilitates to establish healthy eating
habits and assists for physical and mental development of the children. This
study was carried out to assess the breakfast eating habits of school going
children in rural and urban areas of Varanasi district. Systematic random
sampling technique was adopted for the selection of the desirable data of 400
samples. To collect the data regarding breakfast eating habits of school
children schedule method was used which consists of set of questions on general
profile as well as specific information of breakfast intake of school children.
Analysis of the data revealed that school going timing of children did not
affect their breakfast consumption pattern. Out of total 400 school going
children 95% school children used to have their breakfast whereas only 5% school
children were not having their breakfast before leaving for school. Data
further revealed that 93% school children of rural areas and 95.9% school
children of urban areas are taking significantly (P<0.001) less amount of
energy as compared to the EAR, whereas 60.9% school children of rural area and
61.7% schools children of urban area are taking significantly (P<0.01) less
amount of protein as compared to the RDA while 39.1% school children in rural
areas and 38.3% school children in urban areas or a total 38.7 % school
children of rural and urban areas were consuming more protein than the RDA but
it was not significant (P >0.05). Hence, it is clear from the findings that
the school going children from rural and urban areas were taking significantly
less amount of energy and protein in their breakfast on an average as compared
to EAR/RDA. Evaluation of the data suggests that there is a need of nutritional
education for school children so that nutritional status of school children can
be improved.
Download
Pages:35-40
How to cite this article:
Hemlata Pal, Dr. Smita Gautam "To appraise the breakfast eating habits of school children in rural and urban areas of Varanasi district of U.P.". International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, Vol 10, Issue 4, 2025, Pages 35-40
Download Author Certificate
Please enter the email address corresponding to this article submission to download your certificate.