Breakfast patterns in relation to physical activity among School Adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND Breakfast is an essential meal of the day that plays important role in balanced diet of an individual. Studies have been conducted in developed countries; however, literature is scarce on breakfast consumption patterns among South Asian adolescents. Data about breakfast patterns may help in improving unhealthy breakfast habits and enhance the diet patterns of adolescents. METHODS This is a secondary study of a Higher Education Commission-funded project. The research participants, aged 11 to 17, were drawn from lower-middle-income secondary schools using multistage random selection. Socio-demographic and breakfast consumption were determined through interview cum questionnaire and food frequency survey. RESULTS The frequency of daily breakfast consumption was 82% among the total participants. 72.2% students considered chapatti as a primary meal for breakfast. Physically active children were less likely to skip breakfast 15.9%, whereas 27.6% were skipping breakfast less physically active group. 11.6% of participants were underweight who skipped breakfast. CONCLUSIONS According to the findings, the majority of Pakistani schoolchildren like to have breakfast, though their meal choices do not meet basic standards. Therefore, health promoter’s efforts should aim to counsel parents regarding awareness for healthy breakfast choices.