Impact of School Breakfast on Dietary Habits in Adolescents
Author Information
Author(s): Anne S Ask, Sigrunn Hernes, Ingebjørg Aarek, Gaute Johannessen, Margaretha Haugen
Primary Institution: Agder University College
Hypothesis
Can serving breakfast in schools improve dietary habits and school performance among students?
Conclusion
Serving breakfast in a lower secondary school for 4 months led to healthier dietary intake and reduced weight gain among students.
Supporting Evidence
- All students in the intervention group had breakfast at school during the intervention.
- One week after the intervention, students returned to their normal breakfast patterns.
- The control group showed an increase in lunch intake compared to before the study.
- Improvement in food patterns was observed among male students in the intervention group.
Takeaway
When kids eat breakfast at school, they tend to eat healthier and don't gain as much weight.
Methodology
Students in one class received free breakfast for 4 months while a control class did not; dietary intake and school performance were assessed before and after the intervention.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to lack of objective measures of school performance and teacher involvement.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and short duration, limiting statistical power.
Participant Demographics
54 adolescents aged 15, with 15 males and 11 females in the intervention group and 14 males and 14 females in the control group.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01 for lunch intake increase in control group, p<0.01 for healthy eating index improvement in males.
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website