A Survey on Breakfast Habit and Skipping Breakfast among University Going Students

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The research was carried out to find out breakfast habit among the university going students. METHOD: The study included finding out information regarding breakfast habit and the tendency to miss breakfast in the daily life of students. DESIGN: A standardized questionnaire was introduced to students to collect their response. SETTING: East West University, Dhaka. SUBJECTS: 445 students of the university among them 298 were male and 147 were female. INTERVENTIONS: A Survey, questionnaire composed of eating habit related questions, other behavioral factor related questions, health related questions etc. RESULTS: Among 445 students 69% of the students had their breakfast regularly and 31% do not have their breakfast regularly, 61% missed their breakfast 1-2 days in a week, 25% of them 3-4 days in a week, 11% students 5-6 days in a week and another 3% students missed their breakfast regularly. Among the students who missed their breakfast regularly, majority stated that the irregularity started when they joined university. They pointed out some reasons e.g. getting up late (39%), not feeling like taking anything in the morning (25%), classes (21%), unavailability of breakfast (15%) etc. The percentage of students who took breakfast at home was higher. In breakfast, it was observed that students took carbohydrate in higher percentage compared to protein, fat, fruits and vegetables etc. CONCLUSION: During this study it has been observed that majority of the university students were conscious about their health and they took their breakfast regularly. But many students also found that they did not take their breakfast timely and many of them also did not take their breakfast. Though taking breakfast regularly helps us to maintain blood glucose level, reduce risk of heart disease, boost our energy level etc. some people still think that skipping breakfast is good.