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Breakfast consumption in Spanish children and young people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2001

Javier Aranceta*
Affiliation:
Community Nutrition Unit, Department of Public Health, Luis Briñas 18, 4th Floor, E-48013 Bilbao, Spain
Lluís Serra-Majem
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Las Palmas, Las Palmas, Spain Community Nutrition Unit, Park Scientific, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Lourdes Ribas
Affiliation:
Community Nutrition Unit, Park Scientific, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Carmen Pérez-Rodrigo
Affiliation:
Community Nutrition Unit, Department of Public Health, Luis Briñas 18, 4th Floor, E-48013 Bilbao, Spain
*
*Corresponding author: Email: bisaludpublica@jet.es
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Abstract

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Background and objectives: Breakfast consumption is important for nutritional balance in all population groups. The objective of this paper is to describe breakfast consumption patterns in Spanish children and young people.

Design:

Random population cross-sectional nutritional survey.

Methods:

A random sample of 3534 people aged 2 to 24 years were interviewed by a team of 43 dietitians. The protocol included 24-hour recalls (a second 24-hour recall in 30% of the sample), a food-frequency questionnaire and other questions including lifestyles, knowledge and food preferences.

Results:

Participation rate in the survey was 68%. Of the boys, 91.2% and 92.2% of the girls in the sample usually had breakfast. Males aged 18 years and above and 14–17-year-old girls showed the lowest consumption rates. Some 4.1% of the sample did not have any food at all before lunch. Main sources of energy with breakfast were milk and dairy products (34%) and buns, cookies, croissants, etc. (24.6%). Some 44.7% of the sample was classified in the poor-quality breakfast group. Subjects from a low socio-economic background and low educated parents had lower Quality Breakfast Score.

Conclusions:

The proportion of children having breakfast before attending school has increased in Spain in recent decades. However, intake of breakfast is not adequate in a large proportion of this population and a number of children and young people still do not eat anything before lunch. School-based nutrition education involving families, teachers and health professionals, supported by community actions, can contribute to improve this situation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © CABI Publishing 2001

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