What Do Ontario Children Eat for Breakfast? Food Group, Energy and Macronutrient Intake

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
March 2003

Abstract

This study included 305 children living in Ontario in 1993. Our objective was to determine the proportion of daily energy and macronutrient intake consumed at breakfast, and the major food groups contributing to this meal. Demographic data were obtained in a parent interview that was part of the prevention project Better Beginnings, Better Futures. A single 24-hour recall among parents indicated that breakfast provided a mean of 1,230 (± 607) kJ. Although only 4.9% (n=15) of children ate nothing at breakfast, 26.9% had <837 kJ. Many (59.7%) had a mid-morning snack; however, children who consumed <837 kJ at breakfast were not more likely to have a snack than were those who had a greater energy intake. The major sources of energy were foods from the milk (27.4%), cereals (22.1%), and breads (14.1%) groups. Energy intake at breakfast was no different in children whose household income was at or above the low-income cutoff than in children whose household income was below the cutoff. While few children missed breakfast, many needed more energy at this meal, and non-economic as well as economic influences on breakfast consumption need to be identified.

Résumé

Cette étude portait sur 305 enfants vivant en Ontario en 1993. Notre objectif était de déterminer la proportion de l’apport quotidien en énergie et en macronutriments consommée au déjeuner et les principaux groupes d’aliments qui contribuent à ce repas. Les données démographiques ont été obtenues par une entrevue auprès des parents participant au projet « Better Beginnings, Better Futures ». Le rappel de 24 heures auprès des parents a révélé si que le déjeuner fournissait en moyenne 1 230 (± 607) kJ. Meme seulement 4,9% (n=15) des enfants ne mangeaient rien au déjeuner, 26,9% prenaient moins de 837 kJ. De nombreux enfants (59,7%) prenaient une collation au milieu de l’avant-midi; cependant, les enfants qui consommaient moins de 837 kJ au déjeuner étaient moins enclins à prendre une collation comparativement à ceux qui avaient un apport en énergie plus élevé. Les sources principales d’énergie étaient les aliments des groupes du lait (27,4%), des céréales (22,1%) et du pain (14,1%). L’apport en énergie au déjeuner n’était pas différent chez les enfants issus d’un ménage à faible revenu ou au-dessus et chez les enfants issus d’un ménage qui se situait au-dessous du seuil de faible revenu. Bien que peu d’enfants aient sauté le déjeuner, beaucoup ont besoin de plus d’énergie à ce repas, et il faut déterminer les facteurs économiques et non économiques qui influencent la consommation d’un déjeuner.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 64Number 1March 2003
Pages: 28 - 30

History

Version of record online: 12 February 2007

Authors

Affiliations

Michelle Hooper, MSc
Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON
Susan Evers, PhD
Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON

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