Skipping Breakfast and Its Effect On Mental Health of University Students

SKIPPING BREAKFAST AND ITS EFFECT ON MENTAL HEALTH OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Skipping Breakfast and Its Effect on Mental Health of

University Students
Resource Person
Khushboo Maqsood
Table of Contents
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................5
BACKGROUND............................................................................................................................5
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................5
OBJECTIVES................................................................................................................................7
SIGNIFICANCE............................................................................................................................8
LITERATURE REVIEW.............................................................................................................8
METHODOLOGY......................................................................................................................12
QUANTITATIVE METHOD APPROACH................................................................................................................. 12
Research design:............................................................................................................................................... 13
Population:....................................................................................................................................................... 13
Sample size:...................................................................................................................................................... 13
Study Design and Study Setting:........................................................................................................................ 14
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Sampling strategy:............................................................................................................................................ 14
Tool for data collection:.................................................................................................................................... 14
Data analysis:.................................................................................................................................................... 14
Data analysis..................................................................................................................................................... 14
RESULTS BASED ON QUESTIONNAIRE.............................................................................15
Demographic section:....................................................................................................................................... 15
RESULT # 1.................................................................................................................................17
RESULT # 2.................................................................................................................................27
Reliability.......................................................................................................................................................... 39
Item Statistics................................................................................................................................................... 39
Inter Matrix Correlation.................................................................................................................................... 41
Item-Total Statistics.......................................................................................................................................... 45
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................46
RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................................................46
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................47
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS..................................................................................................................................... 48
QUESTIONNAIRE.....................................................................................................................59
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Acknowledgment
First of all, we would like to thank Almighty God who helped us in the completion of this
project.
We would like to express our gratitude to our facilitator Miss Mishaal Anjum for her meticulous,
stupendous supervision, support and great advises to carry on this work. We would like to thank
her, for her extra-ordinary help in our study and guidance during data collection, analysis, her
encouragement and unlimited continuous support.
We are thankful to all the respondents who participated in current study.
We dedicate our respected Miss Mishaal Anjum who encouraged us about the selection of this
topic and helped us throughout the work.
We are also thankful to our friends for their help, useful suggestions and moral support.
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Abstract
This study is conducted to examine the relationship between mental distress, academic
performance and regular breakfast consumption of university students. In this research we
determine how skipping breakfast effect mental health of a student so for determining it we
conduct a research on university students. Our population sample is 71 students at university. In
our study, we have worked both on Quantitative and Qualitative Aspects. We have randomly
selected students of UMT and study was conducted through online designed questionnaire and in
depth interviews from students for qualitative analysis which includes only the students of UMT
from different departments which includes both male and females. We conclude that breakfast
consumption is necessary for mental health and academic performance of students and out of 71,
55 respondents agreed to this. Students who skip breakfast tend to have weak memory and lack
of concentration. In short skipping breakfast give negative effect on mental health.
Keywords: Skipping Breakfast, Mental Health, Academic Performance, Memory
Background
Few studies on the breakfast consumption habits of university students have been carried out.
The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of skipping breakfast and effects
associated with skipping breakfast among university students and to assist in the design of
interventions to improve breakfast consumption habits of students in this region. Almost 60% of
university going students have developed the habit of skipping breakfast which is critically
damaging their overall health. Our main concern of the research is to study how skipping
breakfast is damaging the mental health (emotional, psychological and social wellbeing) of
university going students and how their overall life is getting affected by means of it.
Introduction
Eating poorly or well can make a big difference on both the physical and mental aspects of the
body. Eating healthfully can also boost the mood and lower the stress levels. Mental health is
much more stimulated with body fulfilled and running smoothly. Dietary habits are fundamental
factors that influence human life styles and individual quality of life.
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The provision of energy and nutrients throughout the day is extremely important and breakfast
has been considered an important dietary factor for energy regulation. Moreover, in the 1980s,
some studies reported that breakfast could play an important role in the prevention of adult
chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis. In addition, for
university students, breakfast consumption is associated with a range of positive outcomes,
including better school attendance, academic performance, nutrient intake, fitness, and
appropriate body weight. Missing breakfast on the other hand has been associated with adverse
effects on cognitive function (including memory), academic performance, school attendance,
psychosocial function, and mood in children and young people.
Furthermore, reduced breakfast energy intake is associated with higher total daily energy intake
and when breakfast is skipped it can be difficult to properly compensate for it later in the day.
For example, those people who skipped breakfast are reported to have higher daily intakes of fat,
cholesterol, and energy, and lower intakes of fiber, vitamins, and minerals in comparison to
breakfast eaters, thereby increasing the likelihood of gastrointestinal disease later in life.
Adolescence is a time of transition and often results in a weakening of dietary habits over a
period of time concurrent with the search for independence. University students often pay
insufficient attention to breakfast, with some individuals missing breakfast because it takes too
much time. Many studies of breakfast consumption were carried out in the 1980s by different
research groups to examine the type of food consumed around the world. In this century, there
has been more in-depth study and focus on breakfast.
Cognitive, behavioral, and educational consequences aren't impartial. Changes in cognitive

performance are probable to be reflected by changes in behavior. A boom in attention following
breakfast, compared without a breakfast, can be contemplated via an increase in on-task conduct
throughout instructions. Similarly, adjustments in cognitive overall performance may also impact
faculty performance and educational outcomes in a cumulative manner. The useful effects of
consuming breakfast on cognitive performance are expected to be short term and precise to the
morning on which breakfast is eaten and to selective cognitive capabilities.
Those instant or acute outcomes might translate to advantages in educational performance with
routine or regular breakfast intake, however this has not been evaluated in maximum research.
short term modifications in cognitive function in the course of classes (e.g., memory and interest)
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might also consequently translate, with recurring breakfast consumption, to meaningful

adjustments in school performance by an improved potential to take care of and do not forget
statistics throughout instructions.
In elegance conduct additionally has important implications for faculty performance. That is due
to the fact a prerequisite for academic studying is the capacity to live on venture and sustain
interest in class. Greater attention in magnificence and engagement in getting to know sports
(referred to as on-task behavior) are likely to be associated with an extra effective studying
environment which can also effect educational effects within the long term.
Objectives
The objectives of the study are:
 To examine the relationship between mental distress, academic performance and regular
breakfast consumption of university student.
 Relation of skipping breakfast with a student’s emotional status, depression and anxiety.
 Difference between the academic performances of the students who do a do not eat
breakfast daily.
 To gauge awareness about the importance of having breakfast.
 To know how many students are concerned about their mental health?
This study will provide answers the following questions;
 Do you eat breakfast regularly?

 Do you think your breakfast is healthy and national?
 If you skip breakfast what are the major reasons behind it?
 What happens when you skip breakfast?
 Do you feel lethargic?
 Do you feel anxiety and stress?
Significance
The significance of our research is to gauge awareness among university students about
importance of breakfast and how much damage this can cause to their mental health if they don’t
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take it seriously. This can improve their cognitive abilities which can eventually lead to good
academic performance which will cause student satisfaction and save them from all kinds of
anxiety and depression disorders which will lead to a bright and a successful future.
Literature Review
Eating breakfast is important for the health and development of children and adolescents. This
paper reports on the findings of an Australian survey of 699 thirteen-year-olds concerning the
extent of skipping breakfast. Results indicated that approximately 12% of the sample skipped
breakfast. Gender was the only statistically significant socio demographic variable, with females
skipping at over three times the rate of males.
Skippers were more likely to be dissatisfied with their body shape and to have been on a diet to
lose weight than were those who ate breakfast. However, in a follow-up telephone survey, the
reasons given for skipping breakfast were almost exclusively lack of time and not being hungry
in the morning. While North American school nutrition programs have considered poverty to be
a key issue in breakfast skipping, these findings suggest that, for Australian adolescents, skipping
breakfast is a matter of individual choice.
Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day. Evidence suggests that
breakfast contributes to well-being in a number of areas. First, it is a central component of
nutritional well-being, contributing to total daily energy and nutrient intake (Nicklas, Bao,
Webber, & Berenson, 1993). Hill, Greer, Link, Ellersieck, and Dowdy (1991) analyzed the
dietary records of children aged one to five and found that those who skipped breakfast had
lower total energy intake than did those who ate breakfast; Nicklas et al. (1993) reported similar
findings. A number of studies have also found that skippers have relatively worse intake of
various vitamins and minerals (Hanes, Vermeersch, & Gale, 1984; Morgan, Zabik, & Stampey,
1986; Bidgood & Cameron, 1992; Nicklas et al., 1993). Nutrient intake during the rest of the day
tends not to compensate for skipping breakfast (Nicklas et al., 1993).
In fact, skippers are more likely to eat high-fat snacks and to have higher cholesterol levels than
do breakfast consumers (Resnicow, 1991). It has also been contended that skipping breakfast
has deleterious effects upon various aspects of cognitive functioning. According to Pelican,
O'Connell, and Byrd-Bred Brenner (1985), teachers report that hungry children are more likely
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to be apathetic, inattentive, and disruptive. This anecdotal evidence is supported by Meyers

(1989), who has asserted that calorie deprivation can lead to children being so apathetic and
listless that they withdraw from play, exploration, and social interaction. In particular, hunger in
the morning can affect performance at school (Meyers, 1989).
Pollitt, Gersovitz, and Gargiulo (1978), in a review of the literature, concluded that lack of
breakfast may affect arithmetic and reading ability as well as physical work output. A study by
Pollitt, Leibel, and Greenfield (1981) tentatively confirmed that fasting can affect cognitive
functioning. Likewise, Conners and Blouin (1982/3) found that children who ate breakfast made
fewer errors on a continuous-performance task and did better on an arithmetic test, while Simeon
and Grantham-McGregor (1989) found that stunted or previously malnourished children, as
compared with a control group, were adversely affected on cognitive tests by not eating
breakfast. However, studies by Dickie and Bender (1982a, 1982b) found that missing breakfast
had no effect on performance in arithmetic or on short-term memory and attention-demanding
tasks, and Craig (1986) found no effect of breakfast on mental performance.
Breakfast has also been linked to long-term health. Eating breakfast was one of the "seven
healthy habits" identified by Belloc and Breslow (1972) in the Alameda County Study. Nearly
15% of their sample rarely or never ate breakfast, and those who ate breakfast almost every day
(and did not often eat between meals) reported slightly but significantly better physical health
than skippers. In a follow-up of the same sample, Berkman and Breslow (1983) found that
regular breakfast eaters had lower mortality rates, although these findings were not statistically
significant. (Adolescence, Winter 1998, 33(132): 851-861).
Finally, missing meals can be seen as part of the voluntary restriction of food intake associated
with eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa (American Psychiatric Association,
1987). Melve and Baerheim (1994) have suggested that skipping breakfast and other meals can
be used as a possible indicator of subclinical eating disorders. Thus, there is a range of evidence
attesting to the benefits of eating breakfast. In addition, it is important to start life with healthy
habits (Graham & Uphold, 1992), such as eating breakfast. A number of researchers have argued
that habits are formed early in life (Perry, Griffin, & Murphy, 1985) and are likely to continue
unchanged into adulthood (Nicklas et al., 1993). Established habits are considered difficult to
alter, hence the focus upon the early years (Cohen, Brownell, & Felix, 1990).
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A number of studies (mostly North American) have looked at the prevalence of skipping
breakfast. Various rates have been found: 4% for ages 9-19 (Resnicow, 1991), 5.1% and 4.6%
for grades 1-3 (McIntyre, 1993), 11% for grades 1-12 (Gleason, 1995), 16% for ten-year-olds
(Nicklas et al., 1993), 18% for grades 7 and 8 (Singleton & Rhoads, 1982), and as high as 38%
for a sample of poor, rural children in grades 7 and 8 (Terre, Draman, & Meydrich, 1990). An
Australian study of the prevalence of breakfast consumption in Brisbane found that 4% of
children (grades 3-7) from low socioeconomic suburbs had not eaten breakfast on the morning of
the questionnaire (Collins & Mannion, 1995).
These authors noted the lack of Australian data on this topic. The sociodemographic
characteristics of breakfast skippers have also been investigated. The household component of
the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey, with a sample of 6,722 U.S. children aged 5-17,
indicated that one in five did not regularly eat breakfast, and of these, females, teenagers, and
those from families where the head of the household had a relatively low level of education were
more likely to be skippers; race differences were not found (Cornelius, 1991). Other studies have
also found females (Morgan et al., 1986; Resnicow, 1991; Graham & Uphold, 1992; Nicklas et
al., 1993; Gleason, 1995) and older children (Morgan et al., 1986; Resnicow, 1991; Gleason,
1995) to be more likely to skip breakfast. However, McIntyre's (1993) Canadian Study found
that males and younger children were more frequent skippers. Children from low-income
families have also been found to be more frequent skippers (Bidgood & Cameron, 1992;
Gleason, 1995).
The poverty factor has been the focus of interventions to try to increase the number of children
eating breakfast regularly. There have been a number of programs in the U.S. and Canada aimed
at alleviating the effects of hunger on learning (McIntyre, 1993). In the U.S., the School
Breakfast Program is available to about half of all students and tends to be offered in poorer
areas (Gleason, 1995). The focus of the program is to provide a free or subsidized breakfast to
children from low-income families. This program has been shown to be effective in enhancing
nutrient intake (Radzikowski & Gale, 1984) and to lead to improvements in standardized
achievement test scores and to lower rates of absenteeism and tardiness (Meyers, 1989).
However, Keith and Mossholder (1986) found that free school breakfast programs did not have
any effect on school attendance, performance, or psychological tests. Collins and Mannion
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(1995) have noted that, in Australia, there are only a few community-based breakfast programs,
and none (official or unofficial) in Brisbane.
Few studies have directly considered why some children skip breakfast. Over three decades ago,
Cooksey (1963) found that skipping was more frequent when eating alone, or when breakfast
had to be prepared by the teenagers themselves; however, respondents were not directly asked
about their reasons for skipping. More recently, Bidgood and Cameron (1992) found that those
below the poverty line were skipping breakfast twice as often as others, but less than one percent
said that they skipped due to lack of money or food. The most common reasons given for
skipping did not like to eat particular meals and lack of time. Similarly, Singleton and Rhoads
(1982) found that the most common reasons given for skipping were no time (43%) and not
being hungry (42%); less common reasons included being on a diet to lose weight, not feeling
good, no one to prepare food, not liking the food served, and food not being available. Thus,
stated reasons have generally involved personal choice rather than shortage.
Numerous publications have focused on the association between nutrition and mental health
problems, with sugar, micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids at the center of attention1–5. The
effect of dieting, especially among girls, on various mental health problems has also been well
documented. The mental health effects of eating meals regularly have received less attention.
Smith has published a few studies on the association between mental health problems and eating
breakfast regularly8–10, and others have examined the effect of daily healthy practices, where
eating breakfast is one of them, on mental well-being.
The conclusion from most of these studies is that eating breakfast regularly is associated with an
improved mental health status. Several explanations have been offered for the relationship
between mental health and eating breakfast regularly. According to Smith, breakfast and
especially the intake of cereals is beneficial due to its effect on brain glucose after a night-time
fast. Regular consumption of breakfast cereals has, in experimental studies, been shown not only
to lead to positive mood, but also to improve memory and driving performance.
Regular breakfast consumption has also been linked to reduced stress and reduced infection
rates, with a concurrent lowering of cortisol activity. Improved sleep quality and bowel functions
have also been related to regular breakfast consumption, both important to mediate psychological
well-being. The effect of breakfast in reducing fatigue is probably the most important factor
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contributing to mental health16. Most studies of breakfast and mental health have been on small
study samples and with a few exceptions on adults. Chen et al. carried out a prospective study on
factors contributing to quality of life in 12- to 13-year-old Japanese children. They found that in
addition to physical activity and a normal bedtime, regular breakfast was the most important
contributor to quality of life. In a review of dietary habits in adolescents, Bull found that
skipping breakfast was related to dieting among girls and that black people skipped breakfast
more often than whites, and people from England and Wales had breakfast less often compared
with people from Northern and Southern Ireland.
A study among Norwegian adolescents from different ethnic groups found a wide variation in
food habits and dieting. Several factors might influence the association between mental distress,
school grades and eating breakfast regularly. Parental education is a strong predictor for school
performance, but less so for mental distress. A change in family structure might, however,
influence both mental distress and school performance. Socioeconomic status is a strong
predictor of both food choice and meal practices. The aim of this study is to examine the
association between regular breakfast consumption and mental distress (symptom load) and
academic performance (functional impact) of University Students.
Methodology
The present study was carried out with the aim of examining the skipping breakfast and its
effects on mental health of university students.
(1)
QUANTITATIVE METHOD APPROACH

Research methods in education are often divided into two main types: quantitative and
qualitative. When you think of quantitative methods, you will probably have specific things in
mind. You will probably be things of statistics, numbers and many of you may be feeling
somewhat apprehensive because you think quantitative methods are difficult.
In our study, we have worked both on quantitative and qualitative aspects. But the basis of our
questionnaire, our conclusion our results are all formed from the quantitative methodology.
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We choose quantitative methodology over qualitative methodology because quantitative

methodology:
 It helps us to study a higher sample size
 We can reach an accurate generalized decision
 It is a straightforward process to implement
 We can collect information quickly
 We can also use randomized sample
 It also helps us to focus on facts
 It is not very much complex
Research design:
Research design means to plan and prepare the whole procedure for conducting research.
It can be seen as framework for collecting and analyzing data. There are different research
methods depending upon a nature of a research study or issues being addressed. We used
quantitative method approach for the skipping breakfast and its effect on mental health of
university students. Preparing for research design is a major step in the research process. The
whole research work is conducted according to the research design. Research design defines the
approach used for data collection, research site, data source, deciding sampling technique. In this
study we have used quantitative approach for collecting data.
Population:
Target population were the students of UMT who were studying in different departments of
university.
Sample size:
71 respondents were randomly selected as our sample size, who were studying in different
departments of university.
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Study Design and Study Setting:

We have randomly selected 71 students of UMT and study was conducted through online
designed Questionnaire which includes only the students of UMT from different departments
which includes both male and females.
Sampling strategy:
Quota sampling
Tool for data collection:

Online designed Questionnaire was taken for data collection. The reason for this tool was
that all the respondents from different departments were able enough to read and understand the
questions which were to be asked to them.
First 2 questions are from demographics which asked about the gender and age to know
to what extent whether males and female and how age varies in their opinion for the skipping
breakfast and effect on mental health. Rest of the questions were designed to know whether to
what extent the respondents think about the importance of breakfast and their effect on mental
health and academic performance. So we randomly selected 71 participants from different
departments and send them the online designed questionnaire for our data collection and analysis
of the findings.
Data analysis:
Data was collected through a online designed questionnaire, it consists of 19 close ended
questions which have following options as (Strongly agree SA, Agree A, Neutral N, Strongly
Disagree SD, Disagree D). Questionnaire also includes demographics section which includes age
and gender of the respondents.
For Demographics: such as for age:
 1 refers to 18-20 years
Data analysis
Descriptive and Interferential Statistics
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Results based on questionnaire

Demographic section:
Gender:
Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid Male 24 33.8 33.8 33.8
Female 47 66.2 66.2 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
Out of 77 participants 24 were males and 47 were females. Our intention is to find of the effects
of skipping breakfast on mental health of university students.
Age:
Statistics
age
N Valid 71
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Missing 0
Mean 2.3662
Median 2.0000
Mode 2.00
Std. Deviation .74142
Range 3.00
Minimum 1.00
Maximum 4.00
Percentiles 25 2.0000
50 2.0000
75 3.0000
According to statistics our mean is 2 which means age is 21 to 23 and median is also 2 which
means our data is normally distributed. Minimum age is 18 and maximum is 29.
CGPA:
Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
Valid 2-2.5 cgpa 10 14.1 14.1 14.1
3.0-3.5 cgpa 38 53.5 53.5 67.6
3.5-4.0cgpa 23 32.4 32.4 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
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53% of our population has CGPA 3.0-3.5 and 14 % from 2-2.5
Result # 1
Question 1
I feel hungry when I wake up

Cumulative
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Percent
Valid strongly disagree 1 1.4 1.4 1.4
disagree 7 9.9 9.9 11.3

Neutral 17 23.9 23.9 35.2
Agree 27 38.0 38.0 73.2
strongly agree 19 26.8 26.8 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
According to the table 19 participants strongly agreed to the point and 27 just agreed. From
which we can assume that participants feel hungry when they wake up.
Question 2
I eat breakfast regularly

Cumulative
disagree 18 25.4 25.4 38.0

Neutral 8 11.3 11.3 49.3
16
Agree 25 35.2 35.2 84.5

strongly agree 11 15.5 15.5 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
According to the table 15% of participants strongly agreed to the statement and 25 percent
disagreed which means more people do not eat breakfast regularly.
Question 3
I eat breakfast before 10am
Cumulative
disagree 25 35.2 35.2 49.3

Neutral 12 16.9 16.9 66.2
Agree 14 19.7 19.7 85.9
strongly agree 10 14.1 14.1 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
According to the table, 19% participants are just agreeing to the point and 35% participants are
disagreed. From which we can assume that more participants do not eat breakfast before 10am
Question 4
I consume a healthy diet
Cumulative
disagree 14 19.7 19.7 23.9

Neutral 26 36.6 36.6 60.6
Agree 18 25.4 25.4 85.9
17
strongly agree 10 14.1 14.1 100.0

Total 71 100.0 100.0
According to the table, just 25 percent participants are agreed, 19 percent participants are
disagreed and 36 percent participants are neutral. From which we can assume that majority of the
participants do not consume a healthy diet.
Question 5
My diet includes all the essential nutrients
Cumulative
disagree 20 28.2 28.2 35.2

Neutral 17 23.9 23.9 59.2
Agree 20 28.2 28.2 87.3
strongly agree 9 12.7 12.7 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
Table: 5 shows that about 12 percent participants are strongly agree and 28 percent participants
are agreed from the point so from the table we can illustrate that most people consume healthy
diet which includes all the essential nutrients.
Question 6
I consume 3 meals a day
Cumulative
disagree 27 38.0 38.0 47.9

Neutral 5 7.0 7.0 54.9
Agree 18 25.4 25.4 80.3
strongly agree 14 19.7 19.7 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
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Table 6 shows that about 25 percent participants are agreed and 38 percent participants are
disagreed from the statement so we can illustrate from the table that most of the participants do
not consume 3 meals a day.
Question 7
I prefer consuming homemade food
Cumulative
disagree 7 9.9 9.9 12.7

Neutral 14 19.7 19.7 32.4
Agree 25 35.2 35.2 67.6
strongly agree 23 32.4 32.4 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
Table 7 shows that about 35 percent participants are agreed, only 9 percent participants are
disagreed from the statement and in between 19 percent participants are neutral so from the table
we can illustrate that majority consume homemade food.
Question 8
I prefer consuming processed food
Cumulative
disagree 17 23.9 23.9 33.8

Neutral 25 35.2 35.2 69.0
Agree 17 23.9 23.9 93.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
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Table 8 shows that about 23 percent participants are disagreed and only 7 percent participants
are strongly agreeing from the statement so from the table we can illustrate that majority do not
prefer consuming processed food.
Question 9
I feel energized during my morning classes without skipping breakfast
Cumulative
disagree 17 23.9 23.9 53.5

Neutral 7 9.9 9.9 63.4
Agree 21 29.6 29.6 93.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
Table 9 shows that only 7 percent participants are strongly agreeing and about 29 percent
participants are strongly disagreed from the statement so from the table we can illustrate that
majority do not feel energized in their morning classes whenever they skip breakfast.
Question 10
Skipping breakfast makes me lethargic
Cumulative
Disagree 14 19.7 19.7 21.1

Neutral 16 22.5 22.5 43.7
Agree 27 38.0 38.0 81.7
strongly agree 13 18.3 18.3 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
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Table 10 shows that about 38 percent participants are agreed and just 19 percent participants are
disagreed from the statement so from the table we can illustrate that majority feel lethargic
whenever they skip breakfast.
Question 11
I skip breakfast because I think it is less important
Cumulative
disagree 24 33.8 33.8 66.2

Neutral 9 12.7 12.7 78.9
Agree 11 15.5 15.5 94.4
Total 71 100.0 100.0
Table 11 shows that about 33 percent participants are disagreed and just 15 percent participants
are agreed from the statement so from the table we can illustrate that majority do not skip
breakfast just because of the reason of less importance of breakfast.
Question 12
I skip breakfast because I think I am always in a hurry

Cumulative
disagree 12 16.9 16.9 28.2

Neutral 9 12.7 12.7 40.8
Agree 32 45.1 45.1 85.9
strongly agree 10 14.1 14.1 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
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Table 12 shows that about 45 percent participants are agreed and only 16 percent participants are
disagreed from the statement so from the table we can illustrate that majority skip breakfast
because they are always in a hurry.
Question 13
I skip breakfast because I eat dinner late night

Cumulative
disagree 29 40.8 40.8 56.3

Neutral 11 15.5 15.5 71.8
Agree 17 23.9 23.9 95.8
Total 71 100.0 100.0
Table 13 shows that about 40 percent participants are disagreed and only 23 percent participants
are agreed from the above statement so from the table we can illustrate that majority have not the
reason of skipping breakfast because they eat dinner late night.
Question 14
Eating breakfast is necessary for my mental health
Cumulative
Valid Neutral 6 8.5 8.5 8.5
Agree 33 46.5 46.5 54.9
strongly agree 32 45.1 45.1 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
Table 14 shows that about 46 percent participants are agreed, 45 percent participants are
strongly agreed, and no one show disagreement from the statement so from the table we can
illustrate that majority think eating breakfast is necessary for their mental health.
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Question 15
My mood gets effected whenever I skip breakfast
Cumulative
disagree 12 16.9 16.9 18.3

Neutral 15 21.1 21.1 39.4
Agree 23 32.4 32.4 71.8
strongly agree 20 28.2 28.2 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
disagreed from the statement so from the table we can illustrate that majority are agreed that their
mood gets effected whenever they skip breakfast.
Question 16
I feel lack of concentration in morning lectures when I skip breakfast
Cumulative
disagree 10 14.1 14.1 18.3

Neutral 17 23.9 23.9 42.3
Agree 23 32.4 32.4 74.6
strongly agree 18 25.4 25.4 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
Table 16 shows that about 32 percent participants are agreed and only 14 percent participants are
disagreed from the statement so from the table we can illustrate that majority feel lack of
concentration in their morning lectures whenever they skip breakfast.
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Question 17
I feel anxiety and stress whenever I skip breakfast
Cumulative
Valid disagree 17 23.9 23.9 23.9
Neutral 16 22.5 22.5 46.5
Agree 23 32.4 32.4 78.9
strongly agree 15 21.1 21.1 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
disagreed from the statement so from the table we can illustrate that majority feel anxiety and
stress whenever they skip breakfast.
Question 18
I think skipping breakfast effects my memory and picking power
Cumulative
disagree 10 14.1 14.1 15.5

Neutral 11 15.5 15.5 31.0
Agree 29 40.8 40.8 71.8
strongly agree 20 28.2 28.2 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
Table 18 shows that about 40 percent participants are agreed and just 14 percent are disagreed
from the statement so from the table we can illustrate that skipping breakfast effects the memory
and picking power of majority of participants.
24
Question 19
I am satisfied with my academic performance
Cumulative
disagree 5 7.0 7.0 11.3

Neutral 14 19.7 19.7 31.0
Agree 36 50.7 50.7 81.7
strongly agree 13 18.3 18.3 100.0
Total 71 100.0 100.0
disagreed from the statement so from the table we can illustrate that majority of the participants
are satisfied with their academic performance.
Result # 2
T Test
Question 1
One-Sample Statistics
N Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean

I feel hungry when I wake up 71 3.7887 .99879 .11853
Test Value = 5
95% Confidence Interval of the

Difference
t Df Sig. (2-tailed) Mean Difference Lower Upper

-10.219 70 .000 -1.21127 -1.4477 -.9749
25
In the above table mean is 3.7 which is less than our test value. This shows that this hypothesis is
not accepted. Hypothesis is only accepted when mean is greater than or equal to test value.
Question 2

I eat breakfast regularly 71 3.1549 1.31636 .15622
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
95% Confidence Interval
Sig. (2- Mean of the Difference
t df tailed) Difference Lower Upper
I eat breakfast -11.811 70 .000 -1.84507 -2.1566 -1.5335
regularly
In the above table mean is 3.15 which is less than our test value. This shows that this hypothesis
is not accepted. Hypothesis is only accepted when mean is greater than or equal to test value.
Question 3

I eat breakfast before 10am 71 2.8451 1.29447 .15363
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
26

I eat breakfast before -14.027 70 .000 -2.15493 -2.4613 -1.8485
10am
Question 4

I consume a healthy diet 71 3.2535 1.06527 .12642
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
I consume a healthy -13.814 70 .000 -1.74648 -1.9986 -1.4943
diet
Question 5
27

My diet includes all the 71 3.1127 1.16557 .13833
essential nutrients
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
95% Confidence
Interval of the
Difference
Sig. (2- Mean Up
t df tailed) Difference Lower per
My diet includes all the -13.644 70 .000 -1.88732 -2.1632 -
essential nutrients 1.6
114
Question 6

I consume 3 meals a day 71 3.0704 1.35566 .16089
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
95% Confidence
Interval of the
Difference
Mean
t df Sig. (2-tailed) Difference Lower Upper
28
I consume 3 meals a day -11.993 70 .000 -1.92958 -2.2505 -1.6087
Question 7

I prefer consuming homemade 71 3.8451 1.07767 .12790
food
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
I prefer consuming -9.030 70 .000 -1.15493 -1.4100 -.8998
homemade food
Question 8

I prefer consuming processed 71 2.9437 1.08084 .12827
food
29
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
I prefer consuming -16.031 70 .000 -2.05634 -2.3122 -1.8005
processed food
Question 9

I feel energized during my 71 2.6056 1.36778 .16233
morning classes without
skipping breakfast
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
I feel energized -14.750 70 .000 -2.39437 -2.7181 -2.0706
during my morning
classes without
skipping breakfast
30
Question 10

Skipping breakfast makes me 71 3.5211 1.05369 .12505
lethargic
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
Skipping breakfast -11.826 70 .000 -1.47887 -1.7283 -1.2295
makes me lethargic
Question 11

I skip breakfast because I think 71 2.2817 1.23269 .14629
it is less important
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
31
I skip breakfast -18.581 70 .000 -2.71831 -3.0101 -2.4265

because I think it is
less important
Question 12
I skip breakfast because I think 71 3.3380 1.24147 .14734
I am always in a hurry
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
I skip breakfast -11.280 70 .000 -1.66197 -1.9558 -1.3681
because I think I am
always in a hurry
Question 13
I skip breakfast because I eat 71 2.6056 1.13991 .13528
dinner late night
32
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
I skip breakfast -17.699 70 .000 -2.39437 -2.6642 -2.1246
because I eat dinner
late night
In the above table mean is 2.6which is less than our test value. This shows that this hypothesis is
Question 14

Eating breakfast is necessary 71 5.24322 .63784 .07570
for my mental health

Eating breakfast is necessary 71 5.24322 .63784 .07570
In the above table mean is 5.2 which is greater than our test value. This shows that this
hypothesis is accepted. Eating breakfast is necessary for mental health.
Question 15
My mood gets effected 71 3.6901 1.10313 .13092
whenever I skip breakfast
33
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
My mood gets -10.005 70 .000 -1.30986 -1.5710 -1.0488
effected whenever I
skip breakfast
Question 16
I feel lack of concentration in 71 3.6056 1.13991 .13528
morning lectures when I skip
breakfast
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
I feel lack of -10.307 70 .000 -1.39437 -1.6642 -1.1246
concentration in
morning lectures
when I skip breakfast
Question 17
34

I feel anxiety and stress 71 3.5070 1.08065 .12825
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
t df Sig. (2- Mean 95% Confidence Interval
tailed) Difference of the Difference
Lower Upper
I feel anxiety and - 70 .000 -1.49296 -1.7487 -1.2372
stress whenever I 11.64
skip breakfast 1
Question 18

I think skipping breakfast 71 3.8028 1.05044 .12466
effects my memory and picking
power
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
35
I think skipping -9.603 70 .000 -1.19718 -1.4458 -.9485

breakfast effects my
memory and picking
power
Question 19

I am satisfied with my 71 3.7183 .98826 .11729
academic performance
One-Sample Test
Test Value = 5
I am satisfied with my -10.928 70 .000 -1.28169 -1.5156 -1.0478
Reliability
Reliability Statistics
Cronbach's Alpha Based on
Cronbach's Alpha Standardized Items N of Items
.701 .707 19
The value of Cronbach's Alpha is 0.7 which is near to 0.8 which means it is of better reliability.
Any data which consists of 0.8 Cronbach's Alpha value is of optimum reliability and any data
36
between 0.6 and 0.7 is of better reliability. As our Cronbach's Alpha value is 0.7 it means it is of
better reliability.
Item Statistics
Mean Std. Deviation N
I feel hungry when I wake up 3.7887 .99879 71
I eat breakfast regularly 3.1549 1.31636 71
I eat breakfast before 10am 2.8451 1.29447 71
I consume a healthy diet 3.2535 1.06527 71
My diet includes all the essential 3.1127 1.16557 71
nutrients
I consume 3 meals a day 3.0704 1.35566 71
I prefer consuming homemade food 3.8451 1.07767 71
I prefer consuming processed food 2.9437 1.08084 71
I feel energized during my morning 2.6056 1.36778 71
classes without skipping breakfast
Skipping breakfast makes me 3.5211 1.05369 71
lethargic
I skip breakfast because I think it is 2.2817 1.23269 71
less important
I skip breakfast because I think I am 3.3380 1.24147 71
always in a hurry
I skip breakfast because I eat dinner 2.6056 1.13991 71
late night
Eating breakfast is necessary for my 4.3662 .63784 71
mental health
My mood gets effected whenever I 3.6901 1.10313 71
skip breakfast
I feel lack of concentration in 3.6056 1.13991 71
breakfast
I feel anxiety and stress whenever I 3.5070 1.08065 71
skip breakfast
I think skipping breakfast effects my 3.8028 1.05044 71
memory and picking power
I am satisfied with my academic 3.7183 .98826 71
performance
37
• This table shows the mean values of all the items that we have used in our questionnaire
• The mean values of all the items are close to each other which shows that our data is
normally distributed and is reliable.
• As in the Inter-Item Correlation Matrix table we see that when the value is less than 0.3
or closer to zero shows that it is not reliable and is not measuring the same thing as
compared to other items.
38
Inter Matrix Correlation
I I I I M I I I I Ski I I I Eat My I feel I I I am
fe eat eat co y co pref pref feel ppi ski ski ski ing mo lack feel thi satis
SKIPPING
el bre BREAKFAST
bre nsu die AND
nsu ITS er
EFFECT
er ON
ene MENTAL
ng HEALTH
p p OFp UNIVERSITY
bre od STUDENTS
of anx nk fied
hu akf akf me t me con con rgi bre bre bre bre akf get conc iety ski with
ng ast ast a inc 3 sum sum zed akf akf akf akf ast s entra and ppi my
ry reg bef hea lud me ing ing dur ast ast ast ast is eff tion stre ng acad
w ula ore lth es als ho pro ing ma bec bec bec nec ect in ss bre emic
he rly 10a y all a me cess my kes aus aus aus ess ed morn wh akf perf
nI m die the da mad ed mo me eI eI eI ary wh ing ene ast orm
w t ess y e foo rni let thi thi eat for ene lectu ver eff ance
ak ent foo d ng har nk nk din my ver res I ect
e ial d cla gic it is I ner me I whe ski s
up nut sse less am late ntal ski nI p my
rie s im alw nig hea p skip bre me
nts wit por ays ht lth bre brea akf mo
hou tant in akf kfast ast ry
t a ast and
ski hur pic
ppi ry kin
ng g
bre po
akf we
ast r
Eatin 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.31 - - 0.2 - - - 1.0 0.2 0.319 0.1 0.2 0.121
g 70 04 35 56 97 36 2 0.21 0.4 01 0.4 0.0 0.4 00 04 62 16
brea 8 22 24 50 08
kfast
is
nece
ssary
for
my
ment
al
healt
h
I am 0.1 - - 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.21 - 0.1 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 - 0.078 - 0.2 1.000
satis 41 0.0 0.1 05 39 26 3 0.05 28 0.0 90 44 14 21 0.1 0.0 07
fied 76 35 5 22 47 25
with
my
acad
emic
perfo
rman
ce
I 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 1.0 0.16 0.04 - 0.1 - - 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.166 0.3 0.2 0.026
cons 22 06 38 53 29 00 4 2 0.2 54 0.0 0.1 46 36 59 95 61
ume 16 12 42
3
meal
sa
day
I 0.3 0.4 0.3 1.0 0.6 0.3 0.25 - - 0.1 - - - 0.1 0.1 0.095 0.1 0.2 0.205
cons 06 91 19 00 09 53 9 0.04 0.1 73 0.0 0.1 0.2 56 29 23 50
ume 9 46 33 52 34
a
healt
hy
diet
I eat 0.2 0.5 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.18 0.22 - 0.1 - - - 0.0 0.2 0.258 0.2 0.1 -
brea 62 76 00 19 62 38 7 9 0.0 02 0.0 0.1 0.0 35 96 71 45 0.135
kfast 91 08 36 52
befor
e
10a
m
I eat 0.4 1.0 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.28 0.11 - 0.1 - - - 0.2 0.4 0.375 0.4 0.1 -
brea 60 00 76 91 35 06 9 7 0.3 37 0.0 0.2 0.0 04 27 46 57 0.076
kfast 23 54 95 54
regul
arly
I feel 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.03 0.17 - 0.4 0.0 - - 0.1 0.5 0.663 1.0 0.5 -
anxie 33 46 71 23 13 95 2 2 0.2 17 52 0.1 0.0 62 53 00 93 0.025
ty 30 30 09
and
stres
s
whe
neve
rI
skip 39
brea
kfast
I feel - - - - - - - 0.30 1.0 - 0.4 0.2 0.3 - - - - - 0.128
ener 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.22 4 00 0.3 48 14 29 0.4 0.4 0.440 0.2 0.3
gized 07 23 91 46 52 16 6 31 22 23 30 33
Item-Total Statistics
Squared Cornbrash’s
Scale Mean if Scale Variance Corrected Item- Multiple Alpha if Item
Item Deleted if Item Deleted Total Correlation Correlation Deleted
I feel hungry when I wake up 59.2676 65.799 .388 .489 .679
I eat breakfast regularly 59.9014 60.376 .536 .720 .658
I eat breakfast before 10am 60.2113 62.283 .447 .495 .669
I consume a healthy diet 59.8028 65.103 .398 .559 .678
My diet includes all the 59.9437 61.997 .530 .531 .662
essential nutrients
I consume 3 meals a day 59.9859 61.757 .445 .484 .669
I prefer consuming homemade 59.2113 67.826 .231 .363 .693
food
I prefer consuming processed 60.1127 70.016 .105 .357 .705
food
I feel energized during my 60.4507 77.337 -.255 .596 .748
morning classes without
skipping breakfast
Skipping breakfast makes me 59.5352 66.081 .344 .533 .683
lethargic
I skip breakfast because I think 60.7746 68.748 .138 .519 .704
it is less important
I skip breakfast because I think 59.7183 73.148 -.076 .449 .725
I am always in a hurry
I skip breakfast because I eat 60.4507 70.223 .082 .587 .708
dinner late night
Eating breakfast is necessary 58.6901 71.645 .095 .502 .702
My mood gets effected 59.3662 64.293 .428 .653 .674
I feel lack of concentration in 59.4507 62.623 .508 .750 .665
breakfast
I feel anxiety and stress 59.5493 62.680 .540 .691 .663
I think skipping breakfast 59.2535 65.106 .405 .625 .677
effects my memory and picking
power
40
I am satisfied with my 59.3380 69.941 .131 .364 .702

Conclusion
 Eating breakfast is necessary for our mental health as half of our population agreed to
this.
 We have also analyzed that half of our population feels anxiety and stress whenever they
skip breakfast.
41
 Missing breakfast has a great effect on memory and picking power of students.
 Concentration level of students decreases in morning classes who skips breakfast.
 Skipping breakfast also effects mood of the students.
 Major cause of skipping breakfast of university students is that they are always in a hurry
whenever they leave for university and breakfast has less importance to them
Recommendations
From our research we noticed that many students skip their breakfast because of non-attitude
behavior towards the importance of breakfast in their life. Students should be well aware of the
importance of breakfast as skipping breakfast affects their mental health and cognitive abilities.
The recommendations which are drawn from our research conducting on skipping breakfast and
its effects on mental health and academic performance are:
 First of all, I would recommend the students to make a schedule and plan their meals
accordingly because most students sleep late at night and for this reason they woke up
late in morning. They should get up early and should have breakfast to conserve energy
for the whole day.
 Secondly, I would recommend if the students do not have enough time to eat breakfast in
the morning because they get up late in the morning and can’t manage their time properly
then I would suggest them to carry something healthy in their handbag to eat at the spare
time.
 Thirdly, I would recommend if they cannot have a heavy breakfast in the morning then
they should have nuts and milk to complete their nutrient deficiency because after sleep,
our brain requires nutrients. Skipping breakfast deprives the brain of these much-needed
nutrients.
 Fourthly, students should be acknowledged that they feel lethargic due to low levels of
oxygen in their bodies which is due to low RBCs, and the main reason of this is lack of
iron and calcium which they can compensate mainly through milk in breakfast.
 Fifthly, most of the girls skip breakfast because of their weight consciousness; they
should be taught that skipping breakfast and essential nutrients will lead to weight gain or
42
DE shaping their bodies. Instead if they will take proper nutrients in breakfast it will help
them to boost their metabolism and help in reducing their weight.
 Lastly, Parents should play a role in convincing their children to have breakfast daily.
The gap between the dinner and breakfast tends to be large that’s why eating something
in the morning is very important. In fact, this is the reason why parents should focus on
you to eat something in the morning before you rush to university.
References
 https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-13-42
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3737458/
 https://www.news-medical.net/news/20191120/Skipping-breakfast-affects-academic-
performance.aspx
 https://www.slideshare.net/alhafizaharamos/the-effects-of-skipping-breakfast-on-
the-academic-performance
 https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?
journal=J+Sport+Health+Sci&title=Breakfast,
+glycaemic+index+and+health+in+young+people&author=K+Tolfrey&
 https://www.powershow.com/view/45b23a-
ZTJiY/Negative_Effects_of_Skipping_Breakfast_powerpoint_ppt_presentation
 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition/article/is-
breakfast-consumption-related-to-mental-distress-and-academic-performance-in-
adolescents/29E685CF288F331BC5D254E215692C9F
 https://medicalnewsbulletin.com/skipping-breakfast-academic-performance/
 https://spartanshield.org/16001/opinion/the-effects-of-skipping-breakfast/
(2)
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS
FIRST TRANSCRIPT
Interviewer: Aslaam O Alaikum my name is Motia Tabassum. I am from University of

Management and Technology, and I am doing a research to find out the effect of skipping
43
breakfast on mental health in university students. Therefore I am interviewing the ones who are
studying in university. So I hope you wouldn’t mind if I ask you certain questions regarding your
profession, and if you please introduce yourself a little, it would be a great help for me.
Sidra: Walaikum salaam. Yes sure I don’t have any problem. You may ask whatever you want
to know that could help you. My name is Sidra Jamshaid. I am 23 years old and I am a student of
DPT in UMT. I like to knit and I stitch my clothes myself as well. My hobby is gardening.
Interviewer: Do you eat breakfast regularly?
Sirda: No, I don’t eat breakfast regularly sometime due to rashly schedule due to hurry I don’t
eat but I try my best to eat regularly.
Interviewer: Do you think your breakfast is healthy and national?
Sidra: No my breakfast is not so national but I try my best to eat healthy sometimes it’s based on
fruits it’s based on bread it’s based on some almonds and nuts but my breakfast is not national. I
don’t prefer to eat so much heavy things like national eating is halwa puri and naan channe and
other things I don’t prefer it because I believe it that national food increase my fats and introduce
another disease.
Interviewer: If you skip breakfast what are the major reasons behind it?
Sidra: so the major reason behind my skipping breakfast is hurry I have not so much time when
I have 8 o clock class I am in hurry so I leave it or sometimes I am not in mood to eat breakfast I
felt so much tired in morning meri nend ni puri hoi hoti to mjhe lagta a k me first class k baad
breakfast karlu gi but major reason is hurry and lack of time.
Interviewer: What happens when you skip breakfast? Do you feel lethargic?
Sidra: Of course I feel very lethargic very uncomfortable even if I didn’t take a cup of tea I feel
very sleepy in the class I can’t pay my full attention I can’t focus on my lectures whole day I feel
lethargic minimize my energy and I can’t focus my you know goals I feel very much lethargic
every day when I skip my breakfast.
Interviewer: Are you able to concentrate during your lectures?
44
Sidra: so, as I told you before due to skipping my breakfast I can’t focus I can’t concentrate on
my lectures I feel very sleepy very lazy during lectures.
Interviewer: Do you feel anxiety and stress? Does it have a relationship with your breakfast?
Sidra: after skipping my breakfast I not so much feel anxiety and stressful. Yeah on the other
hand I feel sleepy but not so much stressful so on my case it’s no I don’t feel anxiety and
stressful.
Interviewer: Are you satisfied with your academic performance?
Sidra: this is very funny one. I don’t due to pandemic condition k am talking about pandemic
condition I am not feel so much satisfied with my academic performance but as a whole if I
talking about before this pandemic condition I feel much satisfied little satisfied I try my best to
improve myself so if specifically if I want to answer this question I am not feeling so much
satisfied but I try to improve myself.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
INTERVIEW EXTRACT CODING THEME
My name is sidra Jamshed. I She is 23 year student of DPT in

am 23 years old UMT. She likes knitting and stitching
I am a student of DPT in her clothes. Gardening is her hobby.
UMT. Demographic information
I like to knit and I stitch my
clothes myself as well.
My hobby is gardening.
No, I don’t eat breakfast Non serious attitude towards
regularly sometime due to Breakfast habit breakfast due to busy routine
rashly schedule due to hurry I
don’t eat
45
No my breakfast is not so She likes healthy breakfast and

national but I try my best to prefers healthy breakfast over
eat healthy. National vs. Healthy national breakfast.
I believe it that national food breakfast She knows about the side effects of
increase my fats and introduce national food.
another disease.
After skipping my breakfast I She does not feel stress and anxiety
not so much feel anxiety and Relation of breakfast with when skip her breakfast.
stressful. stress and anxiety
I am not feel so much satisfied She does not satisfy with academic
with my academic Satisfaction with performance because due to skipping
performance. academic performance breakfast not pays attention on her
study.
SECOND TRANSCRIPT

Eleisha: Walaikum salaam. Yes sure I don’t have any problem. You may ask whatever you want
to know that could help you. My name is Eleisha Afzal. I am 23 years old and I am a student of
DPT in UMT. My hobbies include going to gym meeting new friends and helping some kids in
my neighborhood in study.
Eleisha: If we talk about my breakfast so yeah I regularly do my breakfast. Mostly due to some
reason I do not eat my breakfast and missed my breakfast.
46
Eleisha: yes I do healthy breakfast include egg and tea and bread jam and bread regularly
because it keeps all my nutrients like protein, carbohydrates and fats in equal proportion.
Eleisha: mostly my reason behind skipping breakfast is regular early classes except on Sunday.
Sometimes I am late for classes and no time for breakfast and secondly if bread is not available
at home then I have to go university without breakfast.
Interviewer: do you think breakfast is necessary for your mental health?
Eleisha: Seriously it really effect on my mental health. I feel frustrated not concentrated on my
lectures not attentive in my class and radiate during lecture. Because it is a long time your
stomach is empty.
Eleisha: yes I feel very lethargic drowsiness for the whole day I skipped my breakfast or
whenever I eat breakfast very late.
Eleisha: if I missed my breakfast I take classes without breakfast. For example if class is for one
hour I hardly concentrate on my lecture just for 15 min. it has a great effect on my lecture I feel
sleepy in the whole lecture and can’t pay attention on my lecture.
Eleisha: I feel little bit anxiety but stress frustration anger and irritation these four symptoms
effect on myself. These four factors mostly effect on me and is all related to my breakfast.
Eleisha: So yes I really satisfied on my academic performance its nothing related to my

breakfast. Missing breakfast effect a number of people.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
47
My name is Eleisha Afzal. I He is 23 year student of DPT in

am 23 years old UMT. He likes to go to gym and
I am a student of DPT in helping children in his neighborhood
UMT. in study. He likes to meet new friends
My hobbies include going to Demographic information and people.
gym meeting new friends and
helping some kids in my
neighborhood in study.
If we talk about my breakfast He takes his breakfast regularly if
so yeah I regularly do my there but sometime due to some
breakfast. problem he skips his breakfast. He
Mostly due to some reason I Routine of breakfast also likes to eat healthy breakfast.
do not eat my breakfast and
missed my breakfast. He likes to eat eggs, tea and bread
because it contains all the nutrients
which are necessary for our health.
Mostly my reason behind The reason behind skipping breakfast
skipping breakfast is regular is the regular early classes in the
early classes except on university. But on Sunday he never
Sunday. skips breakfast. Sometime he skips
Sometimes I am late for Reasons of skipping breakfast breakfast because he is late for the
classes and no time for class and has no time for it. Or
breakfast sometime there is no bread in the
Secondly if bread is not house.
available at home then I have
to go university without
breakfast.
THIRD TRANSCRIPT

48
Sania : Walaikum salaam. Yes sure I don’t have any problem. You may ask whatever you want
to know that could help you. My name is Sania Pervaiz. I am 23 years old and I am a student of
DPT in UMT. My hobby is reading books. I like outing with my friends.
Sania: So sometimes I eat my breakfast in the morning but most often I missed my breakfast so
my answer is I didn’t eat my breakfast regularly.
Sania: So my breakfast sometimes it is healthy like sometime when I do breakfast at home I do

eat eggs and bread and fruits in my breakfast but most of the time I didn’t eat my breakfast in
home like at proper time and when I did it like outside with my friends it is not unhealthy we eat
like junk food like naan channe and etc. like oily things.
Sania: So the major reason behind my missing breakfast is time management like I am a student
so we have mostly classes at 8AM in the university and my university is far away from my home
so I have to wake up early and leave home early that I could reach attend my classes at time so
this is the most of the time skip my breakfast.
Interviewer: Do you think breakfast is necessary for your mental health?
Sania: So I sometime think that breakfast is important because it is an important meal of the day
and when I didn’t eat my breakfast I feel so low all day so it has an important role for my mental
health.
Sania: Yes I do feel lethargic even when I am attending my class in the morning I feel so much
weak and lazy that I didn’t concentrate on the things I didn’t concentrate on lectures so yeah it
make me feel lethargic.
49
Sania: As I already told I am unable to concentrate on my lectures when I skip my breakfast.
Sania: So yes I do have stresses like academic stresses every student face and I also has anxiety
problem but I didn’t know that it is related to my breakfast routine or not I think it is not related
to my breakfast because the stress comes from my academic activities academic stresses that
anxiety is also related to that.
Sania: So somehow I am impressed by my academic performance but not so much.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
INTERVIEW CODING THEME

EXTRACT
My name is Sania Pervez. I am Her name is Sania 24 year’s old
24 years old I am a student of Demographics student of DPT in UMT. She likes
DPT in UMT. and reading books and meet friends.
My hobby is reading books. I like Information’s
outing with my friends.
I didn’t eat my breakfast Non serious attitude towards
regularly. Breakfast habit breakfast.
My breakfast sometimes it is When she is in home she takes
healthy like sometime when I do Breakfast in home vs. healthy food but most of the time
breakfast at home. Breakfast in outside she does her breakfast with her
Most of the time I didn’t eat my friends in restaurant which is so
breakfast in home like at proper oily.
Time and when I did it like
outside with my friends.
50
The major reason behind my Due to early morning classes and

missing breakfast is time her house is far away from her
management like I am a student home so to reach university she
so we have mostly classes at Reasons of skipping skips her breakfast because not
8AM. breakfast having enough time for it.
My university is far away from
my home
when I didn’t eat my breakfast I She knows about the effect of

feel so low all day so it has an breakfast on mental health so she
important role for my mental Breakfast and mental health try to take her breakfast regularly.
health
Yes I do feel lethargic even when She feels weakness and laziness
I am attending my class in the and can’t pay attention on her study
morning. when skip her breakfast.
I feel so much weak and lazy. Side effects of skipping
I didn’t concentrate on the breakfast
things.
I didn’t concentrate on lectures
I do have stresses like academic She feels stress and anxiety during
stresses. academic performance but she
I also has anxiety problem but I Relation of breakfast with didn’t know it’s related with her
didn’t know that it is related to stress and anxiety breakfast or not.
my breakfast routine
Somehow I am impressed by my She does not completely satisfy
academic performance but not so Satisfaction with academic with academic performance.
much. performance
FOURTH TRANSCRIPT
Interviewer: My name is Rohma Kiran. I am student of DPT in UMT Lahore. I am doing a

research on breakfast habits of young generation and its influence on their daily life. I would like
51
to ask you a certain questions regarding your breakfast routine and its influence on your daily
life. It would be a great help if you’ll provide me information regarding it.
Laiba: W.S. Yes sure, please continue asking. I’ll cooperate with you.
Interviewer: Please introduce yourself first. Your name, age, where you study, your interests
and hobbies etc.
Laiba: My name is Laiba Umar. I am 22 years old. I am studying BS in business sciences from
UMT. Currently I am in 4th semester. I wanted to become a doctor before and I had good grades
in intermediate but due to tough competition I couldn’t qualify for medical so I chose business
studies and got admission in UMT. Now I am satisfied with my field of study. Usually I don’t
get time for my hobbies but on weekend I go to a club for swimming, horse riding, cycling etc.
Because I’m busy in the week days so I do some recreations on the weekend and relax my mind.
Other than that I watch seasons and use social media.
Interviewer: So are you enjoying your student and university life?
Laiba: Yes, I am enjoying my university life as I am interacting with more people and having
new experiences in my field.
Interviewer: Do you participate in your co-curricular activities?
Laiba: Yes I do. Recently I joined drama club in my university. I was also part of cricket team at
my college.
Interviewer: Thank you for your introduction Laiba, now I want to know a few things about
your daily breakfast routine.
Laiba: Yes please.
Interviewer: Do you eat breakfast regularly? Like 7 days a week.
Laiba: Not regularly, but I try to eat breakfast 4-5 days per week. As I have morning lectures
and I get up in the morning, get ready, after that I don’t have time for breakfast or sometimes I
just don’t want to have anything in the morning. But usually I have breakfast 4 days in a week.
Interviewer: Is your breakfast healthy and nutritional? Does it involve all the essential
nutrients?
52
Laiba: No I don’t think so, it is only tea and some snack like cookies or rusk. Or sometimes I
just grab a packet of biscuits or chips to satisfy my hunger. So it does not contain the essential
nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, fibers or vitamins.
Interviewer: What are your major reasons behind skipping breakfast?
Laiba: I feel nausea after having breakfast that’s why I avoid heavy meals in the morning or take
simply skip breakfast and the second main reason is that I get late for university so I skip
breakfast because I can’t manage time.
Interviewer: Do you think breakfast is important for your mental health?
Laiba: Yes, it is important for my mental health as a healthy body has a healthy mind. As
previously I have been student of pre-medical so I have studied the importance and effect of
nutrients on our physical and mental health. It even affects our social activities.
Interviewer: What happens when you skip breakfast?
Laiba: I feel lethargic and fatigued all day. I feel like I don’t want to work or walk. I feel lazy.
Laiba: Not in the morning lectures, because I feel dizzy and lethargic. I try to concentrate on
what the professor is saying but in a few minutes my attention is diverted and I feel lazy.
Interviewer: Do you feel anxiety and stress? Does it have any relation with your breakfast?
Laiba: Yes I feel stressed. Sometimes I feel stress about very little things. I also feel anxiety.
Yes, I think it has a relation with my breakfast routine because my mind is not usually fresh and I
also have shortness of breath. Sometimes I just walk a few meters and I feel shortness of breath
that I am unable to walk or do any activity.
Laiba: Yes I am satisfied with my academic performance. My CGPA is 3.67 and I think that is
good. I may not be able to concentrate during lectures but I manage to study well at home
because at home I am fresh and I keep munching snacks while studying so I study well at home
and perform well in the exam.
53
Interviewer: Thank you Laiba for your cooperation and response.
Laiba: Pleasure is all mine.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
I don’t eat breakfast regularly, Laiba is a 22 year old girl and is a

hardly 4 times a week. Breakfast routine student of BS in business sciences at
UMT. She lives with her family in
Pakistan.
My breakfast lack essential She does sports on weekends and also
nutrients and I have tea with a Quality of breakfast likes to use social media.
snack like cookies.
I skip breakfast because of nausea She doesn’t eat breakfast regularly,

or lack of time. Reasons of skipping hardly 4 times a week and it is usually
breakfast tea with a snack. This is because she
feels nausea and also due to lack of
time.
I know that breakfast is important She thinks breakfast is important for
for my physical and mental Importance of breakfast her mental and physical health.
health.
Due to skipping breakfast, I feel After skipping her breakfast she feels
lethargic and fatigued usually and fatigued and lethargic all day mostly
also I am unable to concentrate in Influence of skipping in the morning lectures. She also feels
my morning lectures. I also have breakfast on her daily stressed and shortness of breath.
anxiety and stress. life
54
I am satisfied with my academic Influence of skipping But she studies well at home and so
performance as I can study well at breakfast on her she is satisfied with her academic
home. academics performance.
Quantitative
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
 18-20
 21-23
 24-26
 27-29
Gender:
 Male
 female
Semester: CGPA:
Strongly Disagr Neutr Agree Strongly
Disagree ee al Agree
1. I feel hungry when I wake up
2. I eat breakfast regularly
3. I eat breakfast before 10am
4. I consume a healthy diet
5. My diet includes all the essential

nutrients
6. I consume 3 meals a day
55
7. I prefer consuming homemade

food
8. I prefer consuming processed food
9. I feel energized during my

morning classes without skipping
breakfast
10. Skipping breakfast makes me
lethargic
11. I skip breakfast because I think it is
less important
12. I skip breakfast because I think I
am always in a hurry
13. I skip breakfast because I eat
dinner late night
14. Eating breakfast is necessary for
my mental health
15. My mood gets effected whenever I
skip breakfast
16. I feel lack of concentration in
breakfast
17. I feel anxiety and stress whenever I
skip breakfast
18. I think skipping breakfast effects
my memory and picking power
19. I am satisfied with my academic
performance
56
The End
57

Skipping Breakfast and Its Effect On Mental Health of University Students

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SKIPPING BREAKFAST AND ITS EFFECT ON MENTAL HEALTH OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Skipping Breakfast and Its Effect on Mental Health of

QUANTITATIVE METHOD APPROACH................................................................................................................. 12

Study Design and Study Setting:........................................................................................................................ 14

Tool for data collection:.................................................................................................................................... 14

RESULTS BASED ON QUESTIONNAIRE.............................................................................15

Inter Matrix Correlation.................................................................................................................................... 41

We are thankful to all the respondents who participated in current study.

Keywords: Skipping Breakfast, Mental Health, Academic Performance, Memory

Cognitive, behavioral, and educational consequences aren't impartial. Changes in cognitive

might also consequently translate, with recurring breakfast consumption, to meaningful

This study will provide answers the following questions;

 Do you eat breakfast regularly?

to be apathetic, inattentive, and disruptive. This anecdotal evidence is supported by Meyers

QUANTITATIVE METHOD APPROACH

We choose quantitative methodology over qualitative methodology because quantitative

 It helps us to study a higher sample size

 We can reach an accurate generalized decision

 It is a straightforward process to implement

 We can collect information quickly

 We can also use randomized sample

 It also helps us to focus on facts

 It is not very much complex

Study Design and Study Setting:

Tool for data collection:

Results based on questionnaire

Female 47 66.2 66.2 100.0

Total 71 100.0 100.0

53% of our population has CGPA 3.0-3.5 and 14 % from 2-2.5

I feel hungry when I wake up

disagree 7 9.9 9.9 11.3

I eat breakfast regularly

disagree 18 25.4 25.4 38.0

Agree 25 35.2 35.2 84.5

disagree 25 35.2 35.2 49.3

Valid strongly disagree 3 4.2 4.2 4.2

disagree 14 19.7 19.7 23.9

strongly agree 10 14.1 14.1 100.0

disagree 20 28.2 28.2 35.2

disagree 27 38.0 38.0 47.9

disagree 7 9.9 9.9 12.7

disagree 17 23.9 23.9 33.8

disagree 17 23.9 23.9 53.5

Disagree 14 19.7 19.7 21.1

disagree 24 33.8 33.8 66.2

I skip breakfast because I think I am always in a hurry

disagree 12 16.9 16.9 28.2

I skip breakfast because I eat dinner late night

disagree 29 40.8 40.8 56.3

Total 71 100.0 100.0

disagree 12 16.9 16.9 18.3

disagree 10 14.1 14.1 18.3

Total 71 100.0 100.0

I think skipping breakfast effects my memory and picking power

disagree 10 14.1 14.1 15.5

disagree 5 7.0 7.0 11.3

N Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean

95% Confidence Interval of the

t Df Sig. (2-tailed) Mean Difference Lower Upper

N Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean

N Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean

95% Confidence Interval