Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of breakfast and other meal consumption by adolescents and to assess the relationship between the first and the last meal consumption and sex, body mass index (BMI), and middle school and high school students’ education level. The study was conducted in 2013–2014 among 3009 students (1658 girls and 1351 boys) from middle s and high schools in Krakow and Silesia (Poland). The data was obtained from questionnaires that were analyzed with a logistic regression model for measurable and dichotomous variables. Breakfast consumers were seen to eat other meals (second breakfast, lunch, dessert, supper) significantly more often than breakfast skippers. The main meal consumption habits depend on sex and change as adolescents age. Being a girl and a high school student predisposed participants to skip breakfast and supper more often. The BMI of breakfast consumers does not differ significantly from the BMI of breakfast skippers, so BMI might thus not be a sufficient marker of breakfast consumption regularity and dietary habits in an adolescent group. The importance of regularly eaten meals, especially breakfast, together with adequate daily dietary energy intake are beneficial for physical and psychological development and cannot be overestimated in nutritional education and it is necessary to promote healthy eating behavior for well-being in later adult life.
Highlights
Adolescence is a unique period of life because it is a time of intense physical, psychosocial and cognitive development
Overweight was more often seen among boys. Both underweight and overweight adolescents were more often seen in the older age group
The findings have confirmed the importance of proper nutritional education among adolescents and indicate that students who consumed breakfast regularly are likely to eat other meals
Summary
Adolescence is a unique period of life because it is a time of intense physical, psychosocial and cognitive development. The peak of growth is generally between 11 and 15 years for girls and 13 and 16 years for boys. During this period adolescents gain up to 50% of their adult weight, more than 20% of their adult height, and 50% of their adult skeletal mass [1]. Adolescence is a time of greater autonomy, changing lifestyle and dietary habits. Those changes affect both nutrient needs and intake [4,5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call