WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Anitha M. C.* and Anusuya Devi

ABSTRACT

Background: The aim of the study was to explore snack intake and cognitive function in school going children in Coimbatore (10-12 years). Materials: A cross sectional study design with children studying in grades 5th to 7th grade, in different schools of Coimbatore. We visited 25 schools among 5 each government school and government aided and 3 matriculation and 2 CBSE schools permitted for the conduct of the study. Totally 1409 school children from government (n=407), Government aided (n=411), Matriculation (n=388), CBSE (n=203) A structured and validated questionnaire was developed. A cognition test assessment was done to find out the relationship between snack consumption and better cognition level with the help of National Psychological Corporation, Pune. Pramila Ahuja?s Group Test of Intelligence for children from 9 to 13 years was used. Results: Majority of the school children were in government aided (29.2%). Socio- Economic Background depicts that rural adolescents prefer nearby government aided (55%) and government school going adolescents (53%) whereas urbanities select matriculation (59%) schools. Overweight and obesity was more prevalent among matriculation and CBSE school children. Conclusion: Poor nutritional quality snacking at school and at home was not associated with cognition function but positively associated with meal skipping pattern.

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