Dietary patterns of primary school pupils according to their sex

Abstract

Introduction: Nutrition is one of the most important environmental factors affecting human health. The frequency, as well as the quality and quantity of consumed foods are significant. Regular and rational dietary habits and correct meal composition ensure good health and fitness, whereas poor dietary habits in childhood account for an early risk of overweightness and obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary patterns of girls and boys attending primary schools in Poland, and to identify any associations between the pupils’ dietary patterns and their sex. Materials and methods: The study was carried out in spring 2017. It covered a total of 1138 primary school pupils. A proprietary questionnaire specially designed for the study was used to investigate the pupils’ dietary patterns. The findings were then analysed with the use of MS Excel 2010 and Statistica 12.0 software.Results: According to the survey, 67.36% of the female respondents and 55.4% of the male respondents ate the recommended number of meals each day. Among the respondents 72% of the girls and 73.27% of the boys reported eating breakfast daily. Fruits and vegetables were eaten several times per day by 60.38% and 43.11% of girls, respectively, v. 50.44% and 32.39% of boys, respectively. The frequency of milk and natural yoghurt consumption was adequate in 20.07% and 10.12% of girls, respectively, v. 20% and 11.5% of boys. Sweets and salty snacks were excluded from the diet of 2.97% and 2.27% of girls, respectively, v. 3.19% and 2.12% of boys, respectively. Sweetened carbonated drinks were consumed by 11.17% of girls and 6.55% of boys. Fast food and instant foods were eliminated from the daily diet of 7.16% and 45.03% of girls, respectively, v. 6.02% and 43.19% of boys, respectively.Conclusions: Some incorrect dietary habits were identified both in girls and boys, however girls generally reported more beneficial habits. Statistically significant associations were found between the majority of dietary patterns in the studied population and the respondents’ sex. The results of the study indicate a need for more intense nutritional education among primary school pupils, diversified for boys and girls.

Social and Economic Status and its Relationship Dietary behavior of Female’s Students from Al-Qunfuthah University College

“…The analysis showed the following results, Table No. (6) showed that the chi-square value to know the social status on dietary behavior with regard to eating breakfast, the number of main meals that an individual eats, and adherence to the time of main meals, in addition to fast food, are 0.906, 6.342, 0.379, and 1.141, respectively, and all of them are It is statistically insignificant, except for the number of basic meals, which indicates that married couples commit to eating a number of the main food meal per day., which indicates that each of the income is not associated with dietary behavior through commitment to breakfast, commitment to meals, in addition to the number of snacks . This indicates that income is not related to dietary behavior through commitment to breakfast, commitment to meals, in addition to the number of snacks.…”

“…There is a close link in adults between nutritional knowledge and dietary behavior (4), food habits differ from country to country and from region to region of the same country, as they affect the nutritional and health status of family members, and this is subject to several considerations such as geographical aspects and the availability of foods in the region (5). The quality and length of life is determined by several factors, the most important of which are environmental factors, such as healthy eating behaviors, and one of the most important dietary orientations of the individual is to provide the body with appropriate quantities of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy and dairy products, grains and their derivatives, and vegetable fats (6). One of the basic requirements for the promotion and protection of health is food and nutrition, which works to achieve development, human growth, and quality of life (7).…”