The breakfast habits of middle school students
File(s)
Date
1999Author
Mickelson, Ruth A.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin--Stout
Advisor(s)
Wurtz, Robert
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The purpose of this research was to describe the breakfast eating habits of middle school students as measured by a twelve-item questionnaire developed by the researcher. The objectives of this study were to determine the percentage of students who ate breakfast and who did not eat breakfast; identify reasons given by students for not eating breakfast; identify nutritional value of breakfast food that was consumed; identify emotional and physical symptoms as a result of not eating breakfast; give recommendations to parents to encourage a healthy breakfast. One Hundred students from Northstar Middle School in Eau Claire, Wisconsin were asked to respond to the twelve-item survey. The survey results indicated that 72% of the participants did eat breakfast, 28% did not eat breakfast. Of this 72%, 79% indicated that they lived with both parents and 65% also stated that the parents were present during breakfast. Eighty-one percent of the respondents indicated that they prepared their own breakfast. The breakfast meal should provide 25 to 30% of the recommended daily allowances. The results of this survey indicate that the respondents met a minimum of 25% of the recommended daily allowances for protein, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, calcium and iron. Ninety-two percent of all ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are fortified with essential nutrients. Forty - two respondents ate cereal for breakfast. For the students who chose not to eat breakfast, 67.4% stated that time was the factor influencing their decision to skip breakfast. Sixty-nine percent of these respondents also indicated that they felt fine by midmorning. However, 31% indicated that they were hungry and tired. Breakfast is perhaps the easiest meal to provide. The fortified ready-to-eat cereals allow individuals to meet the 25 to 30% of the recommended daily allowances. Parental habits of eating breakfast and establishing good eating habits at an early age set the tone for lifetime healthy habits. Parents can encourage healthy habits by providing ready-to-eat cereals, waking their child fifteen minutes earlier to allow for that extra time needed or send along a sack breakfast with their child. In addition, the School Breakfast Programs are designed to meet 25% of the daily recommended allowances. The School Breakfast Program also provides free and reduced prices for families with low incomes.
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http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/39301Description
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