Objective: The aim of the present study is to assess the breakfast of a population of immigrant school children in Zaragoza, by analysing the qualitative differences according to country of origin. Material and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of the breakfast of 749 immigrant children from 55 schools in Zaragoza from nine population groups was conducted using a self-administered dietary survey supervised by trained dieticians. The χ 2-test was used to compare percentages among groups. Results: A total of 18.5% of the children skipped breakfast before school, and by population group, Asian children were the group which skipped breakfast the most (38.5%) and western European countries children, were those who skipped it the least (11.7%). Most of the children (73.4%) did not have enough time to eat breakfast, and 30.1% had breakfast without adult supervision. Milk (74.9%). bread-type cereals, breakfast cereals, biscuits, buns, or combinations of these (88.6%) were the foods most frequently consumed for breakfast. Only 41.1% of the children consumed fresh fruit or juices. Comparing population groups, Moroccan children consumed the 3-basic breakfast foods (i.e. milk products, cereal, and fruit) significantly more frequently (51.5%; P<.001), and children from western European countries consume olive oil significantly more frequently (7.7%; P<.001). Conclusions: Breakfast in immigrant school children differs from what is considered a healthy breakfast, with a low consumption of fresh fruit. Comparing population groups, there were significant statistical differences in the consumption of certain foods which may be due to family customs or a Spanish influence. © 2011 Asociación Española de Dietistas-Nutricionistas.

Inmigrantes immigrants School children Breakfast Escolares Desayuno

dietitian immigrant fruit juice Europe fruit bread human clinical assessment Asia cereal diet milk cross-sectional study olive oil Spain Article food intake dairy product Morocco meal