Breakfast, midday meals and academic achievement in rural primary schools in Uganda: implications for education and school health policy

Abstract

BackgroundUnderachievement in schools is a global problem and is especially prevalent in developing countries. Indicators of educational performance show that Uganda has done remarkably well on education access-related targets since the introduction of universal primary education in 1997. However, educational outcomes remain disappointing. The absence of school feeding schemes, one of the leading causes of scholastic underachievement, has not been given attention by the Ugandan authorities. Instead, as a national policy, parents are expected to provide meals even though many, especially in the rural areas, cannot afford to provide even the minimal daily bowl of maize porridge.ObjectiveTo assess and demonstrate the effect of breakfast and midday meal consumption on academic achievement of schoolchildren.Design, Materials and MethodsWe assessed household characteristics, feeding patterns and academic achievement of 645 schoolchildren (aged 9–15 years) in Kumi district, eastern Uganda, in 2006–2007, using a modified cluster sampling design which involved only grade 1 schools (34 in total) and pupils of grade four. Household questionnaires and school records were used to collect information on socio-demographic factors, feeding patterns and school attendance. Academic achievement was assessed using unstandardized techniques, specifically designed for this study.ResultsUnderachievement (the proportion below a score of 120.0 points) was high (68.4%); in addition, significantly higher achievement and better feeding patterns were observed among children from the less poor households (p<0.05). Achievement was significantly associated with consumption of breakfast and a midday meal, particularly for boys (p<0.05), and a greater likelihood of scoring well was observed for better nourished children (all OR values>1.0).ConclusionWe observed that underachievement was relatively high; inadequate patterns of meal consumption, particularly for the most poor, significantly higher scores among children from ‘less poor’ households and a significant association between academic achievement and breakfast and midday meal consumption.

Dietary Intake and Plasma Levels of Choline and Betaine in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Acham et al (2012) demonstrated in well-nourished and undernourished 9-15 year olds predominantly considered low ability, that those who had consumed breakfast and a mid-day meal were almost twice as likely to score highly on achievement tests compared to those who only had one meal. This association was specific to boys, and consuming breakfast alone was not associated with school performance (Acham et al, 2012).…”

“…Acham et al (2012) demonstrated in well-nourished and undernourished 9-15 year olds predominantly considered low ability, that those who had consumed breakfast and a mid-day meal were almost twice as likely to score highly on achievement tests compared to those who only had one meal. This association was specific to boys, and consuming breakfast alone was not associated with school performance (Acham et al, 2012). This gender difference is not consistent across studies with evidence demonstrating increased odds of having lower self-reported school grades when skipping breakfast compared with habitually consuming breakfast in both genders (Lien, 2007).…”

“…Twelve studies used standardized achievement tests to measure school performance. Two studies conducted in developing countries used unstandardized achievement tests developed for the purpose of the research to account for variability in curriculum and school environment (Cueto and Chinen, 2008;Acham et al, 2012). Studies were generally conducted in children aged 6-13 years with 10 of the 12 studies in children younger than 13 years.…”

Breakfast, Food Consumption Pattern and Nutritional Status of Students in Public Secondary Schools in Kwara State, Nigeria

“…Adolescents and children are still dependants and they need adequate attention and care in order for them to be able to develop meals and food habits that are healthy and will promote good nutritional status (Lazzeri et al, 2013;Nanney et al, 2011;Storey et al, 2011;Wate et al, 2013). Skipping breakfast and unhealthy food consumption may lead to micro nutrients deficiencies and poor nutritional status (Acham et al, 2012;Hallstrom et al, 2013;Pereira et al, 2011;So et al, 2011). The consequences of poor nutritional status at the early stage of life may be so serious that it can result in depression, lack of self esteem, unconsciousness, anxiety, poor cognition and academic achievements and in extreme condition a premature death among school children and used to measure height and weight of participants two adolescents (Acham et al, 2012;Arora et al, 2012; times each and mean height and weight were Bhurtun and Jeewon, 2013;Hoyland et al, 2012;Matthys determined.…”

“…Skipping breakfast and unhealthy food consumption may lead to micro nutrients deficiencies and poor nutritional status (Acham et al, 2012;Hallstrom et al, 2013;Pereira et al, 2011;So et al, 2011). The consequences of poor nutritional status at the early stage of life may be so serious that it can result in depression, lack of self esteem, unconsciousness, anxiety, poor cognition and academic achievements and in extreme condition a premature death among school children and used to measure height and weight of participants two adolescents (Acham et al, 2012;Arora et al, 2012; times each and mean height and weight were Bhurtun and Jeewon, 2013;Hoyland et al, 2012;Matthys determined. Two trained professional research et al, 2007;Pereira et al, 2011;Utter et al, 2007).…”