Breakfast consumption pattern among rural and urban children

Abstract

Breakfast is described as the first meal which breaks the fast that had been for over twelve to fourteen hours (Wayon et al. 1997). A study was conducted to examine the breakfast consumption pattern among rural and urban children at University of Agricultural Science Dharwad. Study sample comprised of 60 children from rural and 60 children from urban in Dharwad district who attended higher primary school. Breakfast consumption was assessed by using self structured questionnaire. A result revealed that, in both rural and urban, majority of children were regular breakfast consumers. Majority of children were from vegetarian food habits. Rural consumed carbohydrate rich nutrient profile foods for their breakfast and urban children consumed protein rich nutrient profile foods for their breakfast. In rural and urban group majority did not consume any kind of special foods for their breakfast. Study results indicate the need for guidance/ counselling, orientation programme to child and their parents to encourage their regular breakfast and rich in nutrition like protein, vitamins food consumption.