The purpose of the study was to determine the eating behavior that relate to skipping meals and snacking among the elementary students of a private suburban school. The study also sought to find out if skipping meals lead to increased snacking. Eighty-seven (87) kindergarten to 8th grade students at a private school completed a survey that consisted of ten questions. Height, weight, gender and age were filled in by the school nurse before students answered the survey questions. One third (33.6%) of the respondents were considered at risk and/or overweight.
One third of the students (33.3%) reported skipping breakfast. Ten percent skipped breakfast 5-6 days a week while 15% reported skipping meals sometimes. Around 80% of the students reported never skipping lunch (81.6%) or dinner (83.9%). The percentage of those skipping breakfast (33.3%) matched those who ate snacks instead of breakfast (30%). The same is true for those who skipped dinner (16%) and ate snacks instead of dinner (16%). Interestingly, 40% reported substituting snacks for lunch at least once a week. Although fruits were the most commonly identified snack (52.9%), the second and third most commonly identified snack were cookies (50.5%) and potato chips (49.4%). When asked why they skipped meals, “I'm in a hurry/I'm in a rush/Don't have time” ranked first among the reasons provided. “I'm not hungry” was the second most common reason provided.
This descriptive survey was done to provide empirical data that could be utilized by school administrators and staff to initiate a nutrition education program and improve the nutritional services in the private school. The increasing rates of obesity have raised many schools' awareness to address the nutritional needs of their students. Moreover, studies have shown that children who don't skip meals (especially breakfast) had better test scores, were better behaved and were less hyperactive than those that had skipped breakfast.
This study affirms current findings that skipping meals and snacking behavior is a concern among elementary students. Schools could work with parents to address this problem more effectively if empirical data is available to support the need for a program directed at healthier eating habits.