A Study to Assess Impact of Breakfast Eating Habit on Cognitive Ability among Adolescents (16-18years) in selected Pre-University Colleges, Mangalore

 

Ms. Divya Maria Sunny1, Dr. (Mrs.) Theresa L. Mendonca2

1Laxmi Memorial College of Nursing, A.J. Towers, Balmatta, Mangalore, Karnataka–575002 India

2Vice Principal cum HOD Pediatric Nursing, Laxmi Memorial College of Nursing, A.J. Towers, Balmatta, Mangalore, Karnataka– 575002 India

*Corresponding Author Email: divyaannmaria3@gmail.com, leedapga@yahoo.com 

 

ABSTRACT:

Breakfast is considered the first meal of the day, which is believed to nourish the human brain with glucose, carbohydrates, proteins, and other nutrients. It is said that adolescents are the population who tend to skip breakfast than any other age group. Thus, a descriptive study was conducted to assess the impact of breakfast eating habit on cognitive ability among adolescents (16-18 years). Using simple random sampling technique 100 samples were selected from four pre–university colleges, Mangalore. Data was collected using a questionnaire on breakfast eating habit and cognitive ability tests (short term memory test, letter cancellation test, and symbol digit substitution test) in the morning hours within 11.00 am. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study concluded that, students with regular breakfast eating habit as opposed to irregular breakfast eating habit had beneficial influence on cognitive ability tests like short-term memory test, letter cancellation test and symbol digit substitution test. Regular breakfast eating habit has positive effect on the cognitive ability among adolescents.

 

Keywords: Impact; Cognitive ability; Adolescents; Breakfast Eating habit.

 

 


INTRODUCTION:

Adolescents are undergoing rapid growth and changes in metabolism due to puberty, marked changes takes place in physical, intellectual, and emotional growth and development. Breakfast being the most important meal of the day, serves as a prerequisite for successful learning after the long nightly fasting period.1 Regular breakfast consumption has a number of positive effects in young people including: improving dietary adequacy, a decreased risk of being overweight or obese and improved cognitive function. Eating breakfast on regular basis has been linked to improved memory, high grades, good attendance and low tiredness.2

 

The statistics given by the maternal and best friend’s health watch survey shows that 68% of pupils eat before leaving home, 32% do not, out of which 25% only sometimes have a morning meal and 7% never have breakfast on school days, which has become a matter of concern.3 The reason given for skipping by boys were lack of time, while many girls missed breakfast because they believe doing so would help them lose weight.4

 

Right nutritious food is an important natural neurochemical that enhances the mental capabilities, helps in concentration, fine-tune of senses and motor skills, which is proved to be maintained with a pattern of regular breakfast consumption. It also keeps a person motivated, reduces stress and perhaps even precludes brain aging.5 With an increasing number of children and adolescents skipping breakfast, there is a need for scientific studies evaluating whether breakfast eating habit has an impact on the cognitive functioning and cognitive ability of adolescents.

 

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:

A study was conducted to assess the impact of breakfast eating habit on cognitive ability among adolescents (16-18 years) in selected pre-university colleges, Mangalore.

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

·         To determine the breakfast eating habit among adolescents.

·         To determine the cognitive ability among adolescents.

·         To compare the difference in the cognitive ability between regular breakfast eaters and irregular breakfast eaters.

·         To find out the relationship between cognitive ability and breakfast eating habit among adolescents.

 

HYPOTHESES:

·         The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance.

H1:

There is significant difference in the cognitive ability of adolescents between regular breakfast eaters and irregular breakfast eaters.

H2:

There is significant relationship between cognitive ability and breakfast eating habit among adolescents.

 

METHODS:

A descriptive research design was adopted to carry out the study. Population of the study comprised of students of selected Pre-University colleges (16-18 years), Mangalore. Study was approved by institutional ethical committee. By using simple random sampling technique four colleges were selected, out of the three sections from each college one section was selected randomly. From the each selected section (both I and II PUC) using simple random sampling technique (fish bowl method) twenty five students were selected. Thus the sample comprised of 100 adolescents. Data was collected after obtaining the written consent from each student. The tool for data collection has 3 sections (section A, Section B and Section C).

 

Section A:

Demographic proforma.

 

Section B:

Structured questionnaire on breakfast eating habit - Tool to assess the breakfast eating pattern of the adolescents.

 

Section C:

Includes tests to assess the cognitive ability of the adolescents. The tests are as follows: Short-term memory test, Letter cancellation test (–for assessing eye-hand coordination and attention-concentration) and the digit symbol substitution test (–for assessing the recall ability). Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

 

RESULTS:

·         Demographic data analysis shows that maximum percentage (52%) of students belonged to the age group of 17 years. Majority (81%) of students were females. Maximum percentages (64%) of students were from II year PUC. Highest percentage (47%) of students were Hindus. Most (91%) of the students came to college from home, least stayed in the hostel (7%) and as paying guest (1%).

 

Description of the breakfast eating habit of sample:

·         Majority (83%) of students had good level of breakfast eating habit, 17% of students had moderate level of breakfast eating habit and none of them had poor level of breakfast eating habit.(fig.1).

 

Figure 1: Bar Diagram showing the Percentage Distribution of Breakfast Eating Habit

 

Table 1: Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Sample based on Regularity of Breakfast Eating Habit N=100

Breakfast eating habit

Frequency

Percentage

Regular breakfast eating habit

78

78

Irregular breakfast eating habit

22

22

 

·         All were having breakfast but majority (78%) of the students was having regular breakfast eating habit. Twenty-two percent of the students had irregular breakfast eating habit.


Description of the cognitive ability of sample:

Table 2: Mean and Standard Deviation of Short-Term Memory Test, Letter Cancellation Test and Symbol Digit Substitution Test according to the Breakfast Eating Habit N=78+22

 

Variable

Mean ± SD

Group I * (n=78) regular breakfast eaters

Group II** (n=22) irregular breakfast eaters

Short-term memory test

23.69±2.04

18.27±0.36

Letter cancellation test

43.91±0.40

36.72±3.20

Symbol digit substitution test

19.84±1.26

12.36±1.54

 

·         Mean score of Group I was more than that of Group II in all the three tests of cognitive ability, namely, short-term memory test (23.69±2.04), letter cancellation test (43.91±1.40), and symbol digit substitution test (19.84±1.26). Hence, the cognitive ability of Group I was more than Group II.

 

Impact of breakfast eating habit on cognitive ability Comparing the difference between cognitive ability of regular breakfast eaters and irregular breakfast eaters

 

Table 3:‘t’ Value showing Significant Difference between Cognitive Ability of Regular Breakfast Eaters and Irregular Breakfast Eaters

N=78+22

Cognitive ability

Group I

Group II

Mean difference

‘t’ value

Mean

SD

Mean

SD

Short-term memory test

23.69

2.04

18.27

1.36

5.42

12.31*

Letter cancellation test

43.91

1.40

36.72

3.20

7.19

15.91*

Symbol digit substitution test

19.84

1.26

12.36

1.54

7.48

24.93*

t98 =1.65, P<0.05*Significant

 

 

Figure 2: Scatter Diagram showing Positive Correlation between Breakfast Eating Habit and Cognitive Ability

 


Data presented in Table 3 shows that there was a significant difference between cognitive ability between regular breakfast eaters and irregular breakfast eaters on all the three cognitive ability tests like Short-term memory test, letter cancellation test and symbol digit substitution test. As the table value is less than the calculated ‘t’ value (t98 =1.65, P<0.05), the null hypothesis H01 is rejected and the research hypothesis H1 is accepted.

Correlation between breakfast eating habit and cognitive ability

·         There was appositive correlation between breakfast eating habit and cognitive ability. The correlation was significant (r=0.72, p<0.05).

 


 

Table 4: Multiple Regression Analysis showing, the Prediction of Regular Breakfast Eating Habit Impact on Cognitive Ability N=100

Dependent variable

Other variables

Regression analysis

Std. Error

t

Sig.

Breakfast score

Constant

10.34

6.28

1.64

0.10

Short Term Memory

0.22

0.11

1.94

0.05

Letter Cancellation

-0.09

0.12

-0.76

0.44

Symbol Digit Substitution

0.54

0.12

4.20

7.17

 


·         The data presented in Table 4, shows that the prediction made on regular breakfast eating habit and cognitive ability was significant, that is, regular breakfast eating habit has positive impact on cognitive ability among adolescents.

 

DISCUSSION:

The study demonstrates that majority of the sample were regular breakfast eaters and had good level of breakfast eating habit, only 22% of sample had irregular breakfast eating habit. Mean score of regular breakfast eaters were more than that of the irregular breakfast eaters in all the three tests of cognitive ability (Short-term Memory test, Letter Cancellation Test and Symbol Digit Substitution Test) as depicted in the similar study conducted at National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad with maximum percentage of the samples consuming breakfast on regular basis, whereas, 33%of samples were consuming breakfast on irregular basis. 6 findings of the study was congruent with the study conducted at West Indies, to assess the effect of missing breakfast on cognitive ability.7 Statistically, our study has revealed significant difference in the cognitive ability between regular breakfast eaters and irregular breakfast eaters, as the calculated ‘t’ value was more than that of the table value(t98=1.65) at 0.05 level of significance. Study also showed a positive correlation between breakfast eating habit and cognitive ability. Findings of the study were similar to a cross-sectional study conducted to assess the association between breakfast eating habits and cognitive performance among early adolescents aged 11-13 years. Results showed that regular breakfast eating habits were significantly (P<0.001) associated with Simultaneous scale and Pattern Reasoning. Regular breakfast eating habits were also significantly associated with pattern reasoning explaining 31.6% variation. 8Similarly, a crossover trial conducted at Germany demonstrated  positive short-term effects of breakfast on cognitive functioning and self-reported alertness in high school students.9 A congruent study conducted at Ogun state depicted a strong positive relationship between breakfast and each of academic performance (r=0.61; N=800, P<0.05), class-participation (r=0.084, N=800 and <0.05) and recall ability(r=0.921, N=800, P<0.05).10 The overall findings suggested that the breakfast consumption enhances cognitive function  in the adolescent population when compared to breakfast omission.9

 

CONCLUSION:

The findings of the study revealed that, students with regular breakfast eating habit as opposed to irregular breakfast eating habit had beneficial influence on cognitive ability. Thus, the study proves that regular breakfast eating habit has positive effect on the cognitive ability among adolescents.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

Author would like to express heartfelt thanks with deep sense of gratitude to all the students who formed the core and basis of the study with their wholehearted cooperation and also for the administrators of pre-university colleges for granting permission which has helped the author to complete the study successfully.

 

REFERENCES:

1.        Parthasamy A, Nair MKC, Menon PSN, Shah RC, Shah NK, Sachdev HSP, et al. IAP textbook of paediatrics. 3rd ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Publication; 2007.  P. 88-9.

2.        Lloyd HM, Rogers PJ, Hedderley DI. Acute effects on mood and cognitive performance of breakfasts differing in fat and carbohydrate content. Appetite 1996; 27:151–64.

3.        Levis L. Breakfast and cognition: review of the literature. Public Health England. Health and Diet Team; 2013.

4.        Pearson WC. Maternal and best friends’ influences on meal skipping behaviours. British Journal of Nutrition 2012.

5.        Roberts HL. What are the benefits of teens eating breakfast?  Diet and Nutrition 2011 Jul; 29:1-3.

6.        Gajre NS, Fernandez S, Balakrishna N, Vazir S. Breakfast eating habit and its influence on attention-concentration, immediate memory and school achievement. Indian Paediatrics 2008; 45:824-8.

7.        Simeon TD, Sally GM. Effect of missing breakfast on the cognitive function s of school children of differing nutritional status. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1989 Apr;49(4):646-65.

8.        Kral TV, Heo M, Whiteford LM, Faith MS. Effects on cognitive performance of eating compared with omitting breakfast in elementary schoolchildren. Department of Behavioural Health Sciences, Pennsylvania, USA.

9.        Katharina WM, Katrin H, Jocken K, Ulrik W. Influence of having breakfast on cognitive performance and mood in 13-to-20 years old high school students: results of a cross over trial. Paediatrics 2008 Aug;122(2):279-84.

10.     Toyobo OM, Owoyele JW. The relationship between breakfast and performance in junior secondary schools in Ogun state. Science Journal of Sociology and Anthropology 2012;4:264-7.

11.     Simon BC, Stephen N, Mary EN. Breakfast consumption and cognitive function in adolescent schoolchildren. Physiology and Behaviour 2011; 103:431-9.

 

 

Received on 08.07.2015          Modified on 27.07.2015

Accepted on 20.08.2015          © A&V Publication all right reserved

Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research 3(4): Oct.-Dec., 2015; Page 433-436

DOI: 10.5958/2454-2660.2015.00035.6