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Updated: May 23, 2026
06:48
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
Differences between ethnic minority and native children in breakfast habits
Giorgia Mont1, Dimitra Gkliati, Lavinia Fanciullo
1Postgraduate School of Paediatrics University of Parma, Parma, Italy. giorgia-monti@alice.it
Acta Bio-Medica : Atenei Parmensis
|April 7, 2012
Summary
Ethnic minority (EM) children in summer sport schools skip breakfast more often than Italian peers (IP), leading to higher BMI. Targeted educational programs are recommended to improve EM children's breakfast habits and reduce overweight risks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health
- Sports Science
Background:
- Breakfast consumption is crucial for children's health and academic performance.
- Understanding dietary habits in diverse school populations is essential for targeted interventions.
- Previous research indicates potential disparities in nutrition among ethnic minority children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare breakfast habits between ethnic minority (EM) children and their Italian peers (IP) in a summer sport school (SSS) setting.
- To investigate the association between breakfast skipping and Body Mass Index (BMI) in these cohorts.
- To identify factors influencing breakfast choices and preparation among EM children.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 179 EM children and 179 IP aged 6-14 years at an SSS.
- Data collection via questionnaires on breakfast behaviors, nutrition habits, and BMI.
- Statistical analysis to compare dietary patterns and BMI between the two groups.
Main Results:
- EM children skipped breakfast significantly more frequently (15% vs 7%) than IP.
- Breakfast omission in EM children was linked to a higher mean BMI compared to breakfast consumers.
- Bakery products and milk were common choices, but EM children prepared breakfast more independently.
Conclusions:
- Ethnic minority children in SSS exhibit distinct breakfast habits, including higher rates of skipping, associated with elevated BMI.
- Cultural, religious, and socioeconomic factors may influence these habits.
- Multilingual educational programs tailored to EM families are recommended to promote healthier lifestyles and mitigate overweight risks.
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