Breakfast of first through fourth grade school-children in S. Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

A study of 380 schoolchildren from the first through the fourth grades belonging to the S. Paulo Municipality regarding breakfast showed a deficiency in quality and quantity of this meal in a vast majority of this population. As much as 12,63% of these children go to school on an empty stomach. The average calory intake was 10,57% of daily requirements; most frequently it was between 5.0 and 10.0%. The average protein intake was equal to 17,29% of daily requirements; most frequently it was between zero and 5,0%. The average intake of fats was 6,7 grammes, most frequently it was between zero and 5,0 grammes. The percentual composition of breakfast among these children showed an expressive participation of the glicidic component in detriment of the proteic and mainly the lipidie one.