Intiful F D, Lartey A
University of Ghana, School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Dietetics, P.O. Box KB 143, Korle-Bu Accra.
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 134, Legon, Accra.
Ghana Med J. 2014 Jun;48(2):71-7. doi: 10.4314/gmj.v48i2.3.
Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, yet many people skip breakfast. Studies indicate that school age children who regularly skip breakfast are not likely to concentrate in class, thus affecting school performance. This study determined the breakfast habits and nutrient contributions of the breakfast meal to the days' nutrient intake.
A cross sectional study was conducted among school children (n=359) between the ages of 6-19 years in Manya Krobo in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Questionnaires were used to collect information on background characteristics and breakfast consumption habits. The 24-hour dietary recall method was used to obtain information on the children's food intake. T-test was used to compare differences between means of variables of breakfast consumers and skippers.
About 85.5% of the children had breakfast on the day of interview. More boys (87.8%) consumed breakfast compared to the girls (83.1%). For those who skipped breakfast, lack of food at home or lack of no money (36.5%) was the main reason. Breakfast consumers had significantly higher energy and nutrient intakes than those who skipped breakfast (energy 2259 verses 1360 kcal, p-0.039; vitamin A 1534 verses 662 ug/RE, p=0.001; iron 22.9 verses 13.9 mg, p=0.017, zinc 9.9 verses 5.6 mg, p=0.034). The breakfast meal contributed between 32-41% of the day's energy intake, and between 30-47% of micronutrient intake.
Encouraging breakfast consumption among school children is a way to ensure that they meet their daily nutrient and energy intakes.
早餐被认为是一天中最重要的一餐，但许多人不吃早餐。研究表明，经常不吃早餐的学龄儿童在课堂上不太可能集中注意力，从而影响学习成绩。本研究确定了早餐习惯以及早餐对一日营养摄入的贡献。
在加纳东部地区曼亚克罗博对6至19岁的学童（n = 359）进行了一项横断面研究。通过问卷调查收集有关背景特征和早餐消费习惯的信息。采用24小时膳食回顾法获取儿童食物摄入信息。使用t检验比较早餐消费者和不吃早餐者变量均值之间的差异。
约85.5%的儿童在访谈当天吃了早餐。吃早餐的男孩（87.8%）比女孩（83.1%）多。对于那些不吃早餐的人来说，家里没有食物或没钱（36.5%）是主要原因。吃早餐的人比不吃早餐的人能量和营养素摄入量显著更高（能量：2259千卡对1360千卡，p = 0.039；维生素A：1534微克视黄醇当量对662微克视黄醇当量，p = 0.001；铁：22.9毫克对13.9毫克，p = 0.017；锌：9.9毫克对5.6毫克，p = 0.034）。早餐提供了一日能量摄入的32%至41%，以及微量营养素摄入的30%至47%。
鼓励学童吃早餐是确保他们满足每日营养和能量摄入的一种方式。
