Assessing readiness to change in regular breakfast consumption among elementary students

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Motivation and desire are the main psychological factors associated with regular breakfast consumption among elementary students. The purpose of this study was to assess the readiness of students to regular breakfast consumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was cross-sectional study; 300 students participated who were selected based on cluster sampling from elementary schools in different parts of Ardabil and were interviewed using a motivational questionnaire according to SOC model. The acquired data was then analyzed by ANOVA and linear regression. RESULTS: Cognitive processes of change such as social liberation (β = 0.31, α = 0.001) and self-reevaluation (β = 0.13, α = 0.04) and self-efficacy (β = 0.44, α = 0.001) played a significant role in motivating students to move from the inactive stage to preparation stage. CONCLUSION: By understanding the motivational factors of regular breakfast consumption, a regular program can be implemented to increase breakfast consumption and ensure the health of students and help them to grow in learning ability and abstract thinking.