[Food habits outside the home by school children in Cotonou (Benin)]

Urban growth leads to the consumption of food outside the home, with the demand for street food coming particularly from school children. A survey of 240 primary school children aged 8 to 13 was carried out, by means of personal interviews. More than 90% were regularly given pocket money by their parents, and this money was used mainly for buying food from vendors inside or near their schools. Less than 20% of children ate breakfast at home before going to school. Food purchases occurred mostly before the end of school morning break and an average of 38 CFA Francs were spent on each purchase (7.6 US cents). A wide variety of foods were bought, mostly including cereals. This buying of food seems to be part of a family food strategy to reduce the preparation of breakfast at home. The combination of this demand, and the supply of food in schools provides a useful means for campaigns aimed at improving the quality of children's diets in the short and long term.