Skipping Breakfast Research Articles

Short Sleep Duration and Skipping Main Meals among University Students

Abstract Introduction Admission to university influences lifestyle behaviors and is marked by a daily routine of accumulation of activities that can interfere with sleep duration, affecting food choices and meal consumption habits throughout the day. Objective To analyze the association between short sleep duration and skipping main meals among university students. Materials and Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study with 1,608 university students aged between 16 and 25 years, who were enrolled in full-time undergraduate courses at a public university in the Midwestern region of Brazil. Information on skipping breakfast, lunch, and dinner was collected through the question “On average, how often do you eat the following meals?”. Given the lack of a uniform criterion to define “skipping a meal”, in the present study, any answer that did not correspond to the daily consumption of the meal was classified as meal skipping, based on the recommendation of the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population. Short sleep duration was determined according to sleep time during the night (≤ 6 hours for those aged ≥18 years and ≤ 7 hours for those under 18 years of age). Associations were estimated using adjusted Poisson regression models. Results The prevalences of skipping breakfast, lunch, and dinner were of 51.0%, 13.9%, and 35.6% respectively. Short sleep duration was observed in 27.2% of the study population. After adjusting for confounding variables, short sleep duration was positively associated with skipping breakfast (adjusted prevalence ratio [PRadj] = 1.20; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 1.08–1.34) and skipping lunch (PRadj = 1.64; 95%CI = 1.27–2.12). Conclusion University students presented a high prevalence of skipping main meals. Short sleep duration was directly associated with skipping two major meals of the day: breakfast and lunch.

Associations between breakfast skipping and outcomes in neuropsychiatric disorders, cognitive performance, and frailty: a Mendelian randomization study

BackgroundPrior studies have identified a correlation between breakfast skipping and a heightened risk of mental health issues. This investigation aimed to employ a Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach to explore the potential causal links between breakfast skipping and various psychiatric, neurological disorders, cognitive performance, and frailty.MethodsUtilizing data from genome-wide association studies within European demographics, this research scrutinized the association between breakfast habits and several neuropsychiatric conditions and physical health outcomes, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bipolar Disorder (BD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Narcolepsy, Insomnia, cognitive performance, and frailty. In this MR analysis, the Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method was primarily utilized for evaluation. Outcomes were reported as Odds Ratios (OR) and regression coefficients (β), and underwent validation through False Discovery Rate (FDR) corrections, thereby offering a rigorous evaluation of the effects of breakfast habits on both mental and physical health dimensions.ResultsFindings demonstrate a significant causal link between skipping breakfast and an increased risk of ADHD (OR = 2.74, 95%CI: 1.54–4.88, PFDR = 0.003) and MDD (OR = 1.7, 95%CI: 1.22–2.37, PFDR = 0.005). Conversely, no substantial causal associations were identified between breakfast skipping and AD, BD, narcolepsy, or insomnia (PFDR > 0.05). Moreover, a notable causal relationship was established between skipping breakfast and a reduction in cognitive performance (β = -0.16, 95%CI: -0.29–0.04, PFDR = 0.024) and an increase in frailty (β = 0.29, 95%CI: 0.12–0.45, PFDR = 0.003).ConclusionThe MR analysis reveals that skipping breakfast is associated with an increased risk of ADHD, MDD, decreased cognitive performance, and greater frailty, while showing no associations were found with AD, BD, narcolepsy, or insomnia. These findings warrant further investigation into the underlying mechanisms and emphasize the importance of regular breakfast consumption for mental and physical well-being.

Eating behaviors and incidence of type 2 diabetes in Japanese people: The population-based Panasonic cohort study 15.

This historical cohort study sought to research the relationship between eating behaviors and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in a large, long-term cohort of Japanese subjects. Panasonic Corporation employees who had no history of diabetes and attended yearly health surveys between 2008 and 2018 were included in this study. The main outcome measure was diabetes onset. This study included 128,594 participants and 6,729 participants who developed type 2 diabetes in the study period. Skipping breakfast, fast eating, snacking after dinner, and eating meals before sleeping were linked with the risk of the incidence of type 2 diabetes. In individuals with a BMI < 25 kg/m2, fast eating (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-1.90), and eating meals before sleeping (HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.17) were likewise associated with an increased risk of incident type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, fast eating (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.89-1.30) and meals before sleeping (HR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.88-1.01) were not related to the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in individuals with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (P value for interaction = 0.0007 [fast eating] and 0.007 [meals before sleeping], respectively). No significant interaction effect between sex and eating behavior was found. With respect to Japanese people, especially in people with a BMI < 25 kg/m2, eating behaviors may be a risk factor for the occurrence of type 2 diabetes.

IJCM_403A: Breakfast Skipping: Proportion and Awareness of its Effects Among Medical Students

Background: Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, providing essential nutrients and energy needed for daily activities. Skipping breakfast has been associated with various health complications, including impaired cognitive function and increased risk of chronic diseases. Understanding the prevalence and reasons behind breakfast skipping among medical students is crucial for promoting healthy habits and overall well-being. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the proportion of medical students skipping breakfast, assess awareness about the importance of breakfast consumption, and explore associated factors such as gender and academic semester. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical undergraduates at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 285 students from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year MBBS classes. Convenience sampling was used, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results: Of the 285 students surveyed, 53% reported skipping breakfast. Reasons for skipping included waking up late (77.48%), dissatisfaction with available food options (44.37%), and lack of appetite (21.85%). While most students were aware of the negative effects of breakfast skipping on cognitive function and mood, fewer recognized its association with cardiovascular problems and menstrual irregularities. Significant associations were found between breakfast skipping and academic semester, with 6th-semester students exhibiting the highest prevalence. However, no significant gender differences were observed. Conclusion: The study highlights a concerning prevalence of breakfast skipping among medical students, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to promote healthy breakfast habits.

Indices of Sleep Health Are Associated With Timing and Duration of Eating in Young Adults

BackgroundLimited data exist examining whether timing and/or duration of eating behaviors throughout the day affect sleep health. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify the relationship between eating behaviors and sleep in young adults without chronic diseases or conditions. DesignThis was a cross-sectional study using 7 days of baseline data from a randomized crossover trial. Participants/settingParticipants included 52 young adults. The study took place in West Lafayette, Indiana, between April 2017 and May 2018. Main outcome measuresTiming and duration of eating were assessed via 3 nonconsecutive, 24-hour dietary recalls. Bedtime, wake time, total sleep time, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset were measured over 7 days via wrist actigraphy and sleep diaries. Statistical analyses performedTwo-way analyses of variance were applied to assess group differences based on timing of consumption (early vs late eating) and duration of eating (long: >13 hours, short: <11 hours, or standard: 11-13 hours) with post-hoc pairwise comparisons. ResultsMain effects of timing of consumption, but not duration of eating, were detected for wake time, bedtime, and sleep efficiency (all, P < .05). Specifically, participants with later eating patterns that included breakfast skipping had later wake times and later bedtimes than those with earlier eating patterns. In addition, those who had later eating patterns that included breakfast skipping and nighttime eating experienced lower sleep efficiency (mean [SE], 77.0% [2.3%]) vs those who consumed breakfast and no nighttime eating (mean [SE], 84.6% [1.4%]; P < .001) and those who skipped breakfast but had no nighttime eating (mean [SE], 84.2% [2.5]; P < .05). Those who consumed breakfast but also had nighttime eating had a mean (SE) sleep efficiency of 82.4% (1.4%) (P = .09). ConclusionsThe timing of eating was associated with sleep–wake onset and sleep efficiency. This study provides the preliminary characterization of eating behaviors relative to sleep–wake cycles and highlights the need for experimental studies to understand whether manipulating the timing of eating occasions to better align with sleep–wake cycles could improve sleep health.

BREAKFAST SKIPPING IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES AMONG ADULTS : A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: While certain lifestyle habits may be associated with arterial stiffness, there is limited literature investigating the relationship between lifestyle habits and longitudinal changes in arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Aims : This systematic review is to review the association of breakfast skipping and the risk of type 2 diabetes in adults. Methods: This study demonstrated compliance with all requirements by means of a comparison with the standards established by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020. Thus, the specialists were able to guarantee that the research was as current as feasible. Publications released between 2014 and 2024 were considered for this search strategy. This was accomplished by utilizing a number of distinct online reference sites, including Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and SagePub. It was determined that reviews, previously published works, and partially completed works would not be included. Result: In the PubMed database, the results of our search brought up 569 articles, whereas the results of our search on SAGEPUB brought up 2731 articles, our search on SCIENCE DIRECT brought up 1382 articles. The results of the search conducted for the last year of 2014 yielded a total 335 articles for PubMed, 1173 articles for SAGEPUB and 864 articles for SCIENCE DIRECT. In the end, we compiled a total of 7 papers, 4 of which came from PubMed, 1 of which came from SAGEPUB and 2 of which came from SCIENCE DIRECT. We included seven research that met the criteria. Conclusion: In summary, breakfast skipping is associated in increasing of type 2 diabetes in adults but also need more studies because the studies of this topic is limited and less reported.

Association Between Breakfast and Dysmenorrhea in Female College Students at Faculty of Medicine, Pelita Harapan University

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Breakfast is an activity of eating and drinking that usually takes place after waking up until 9 A.M. and can fulfill 20-25% of daily nutritional needs. Unsupervised skipping breakfast can affect women's ovarian and uterus dysfunction. Dysmenorrhea is one of the diseases that can reduce productivity and quality of life in women. Previous studies have found a high incidence of dysmenorrhea in female college students who didn't have breakfast. Currently, there isn't much data regarding the association between breakfast and dysmenorrhea in female college students in Indonesia.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aim:&lt;/strong&gt; The aim of this study is to discover the association between breakfast and dysmenorrhea in female college students of Faculty of Medicine at Pelita Harapan University.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methodology:&lt;/strong&gt; This study is an unpaired analytical comparative categoric design study with a cross-sectional method. Data was collected from 60 college students of Faculty of Medicine at Pelita Harapan University using breakfast questionnaire, WaLLID score for dysmenorrhea, IPAQ-SF and PSS-10 were used to control the confounding variables. The data was analyzed using SPSS 23.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Among 60 samples were collected, the majority of female college students didn't have breakfast habit by 55%. There are 76.7% of female students who suffer dysmenorrhea, 91.7% have moderate and severe stress levels, 85% have high physical activity, and 70% of female college students have normal nutritional status. The results of the analysis showed that the p value &amp;gt; 0.05 for the association between breakfast with dysmenorrhea.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; There is no significant association between breakfast and dysmenorrhea.&lt;/p&gt;

Examining the association of breakfast skipping with sleep disturbance, mental health, and health-related quality of life: data from the 2018 Korean community health survey

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between breakfast skipping and its effects on sleep disorders, mental health, and health-related quality of life among Korean adults. Methods: Utilizing data from the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey, this cross-sectional analysis included 173,272 adults aged 19 years and older. Instruments used for assessment included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression, the EuroQol 5-dimension (EQ-5D) for health-related quality of life, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep disorders. The complex sample logistic regression analysis was employed to adjust for potential confounders. Results: Breakfast skipping was found to be significantly associated with delayed mid-sleep time, an increased propensity for daytime sleepiness, and a notable decline in sleep quality. Additionally, it was linked to a significant increase in depression risk, compromised health-related quality of life, and elevated stress levels across both genders. All five dimensions of the EQ-5D were negatively impacted by breakfast skipping. Discussion: The findings highlight the detrimental effects of skipping breakfast on sleep patterns, mental health, and overall quality of life, stressing the importance of regular breakfast consumption for enhancing these health outcomes. The study suggests the need for further research to uncover the mechanisms behind these associations and to devise targeted interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of breakfast skipping.

Skipping breakfast and its association with sociodemographic characteristics, night eating syndrome, and sleep quality among university students in Bangladesh

IntroductionSkipping breakfast has become more common, and it can significantly affect a person’s health, performance, mood, and other physiological and psychological factors. In Bangladesh, university students often encounter unhealthy dietary habits, which raises questions about why many university students choose to skip breakfast. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of skipping breakfast among university students in Bangladesh and explore the contributing factors.MethodsPatuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh was the location of this cross-sectional study. Breakfast consumption was measured with the single-question item, “How often do you eat breakfast?” (Almost every day, sometimes, rarely, or never). Skipping breakfast was classified as respondents selecting sometimes, rarely, or never having breakfast. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and sleep-related data were collected as key predictor variables. Multiple logistic regression models identified factors associated with skipping breakfast.ResultsThe prevalence of skipping breakfast among study participants (N = 502, 51.6% female and mean age 21.31 years) was 63.5%. Female students were more likely to skip breakfast compared to male students (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.06–2.55). Smoker participants had a higher likelihood of skipping breakfast compared to non-smokers (AOR = 3.92, 95% CI: 1.57–9.78). Students with night eating syndrome had a higher likelihood of skipping breakfast compared to their counterparts (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.06–3.22). Students with poor sleep quality were three times more likely to skip breakfast than their counterparts (AOR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.93–4.51). Overweight/obese students were less likely to skip breakfast compared to their counterparts (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.20–0.82).ConclusionThis study highlights a high prevalence of skipping breakfast among university students in Bangladesh. Specifically, students who are females, smokers, poor sleepers and who have night eating syndrome are more likely to skip breakfast compared to their counterparts. These findings underscore a need for targeted interventions and educational programs to promote healthy breakfast habits. Addressing these modifiable risk factors can have a positive impact on students’ nutritional practices and their health and wellbeing.

Eating Habits and Nutritional Status of Adolescents and Young Adults in Tertiary Institutions in Port Harcourt Metropolis

University students tend to have poor eating practices which are related to nutritional status. The objective of this study was to assess the eating habits and nutritional status of adolescents and young adults in tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt metropolis. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design. The population consisted of adolescents and young adults in tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt aged 17-25 years. A multistage sampling technique was used to draw a sample size of 296 respondents from the study. Data were obtained using a three-part questionnaire (socio-demographic profile, eating habits, and anthropometric parameters). The data were statistically analyzed using frequency and percentage and findings were presented on charts and tables. Females constituted 64.86% of respondents with about 83.78% of the respondents within the ages of 21-25. Most students (78.38%) reported taking one meal a day with breakfast being the most skipped meal. Most students (56.76%) eat in the cafeteria and 72.97% ate late. Snacking was common among these students as 75.67% admitted consuming snacks 1-3 times, 3-5 times or more than 5 times weekly. Weekly intake of fish and meat, and fruits and vegetables were high (83.49% and 81.09% respectively). Among the respondents, 20(6.76%) were underweight and 99(33.49%) were obese. About half (147) of the respondents (49.54%) had normal weight while 30(10.21%) were overweight. Frequency of consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, meat and fish intake, fast food consumption, and breakfast skipping were related to nutritional status. Overall, the results revealed that the majority of the students had poor eating habits. This suggests the need to increase nutritional counselling on healthy eating habits in universities and to take appropriate interventions to improve nutritional status among university students.

The Practices and Glycated Hemoglobin Levels of Adults with Diabetic Neuropathy in Nakuru County, Kenya

Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes that can significantly impact patients’ quality of life. Practices play a crucial role in managing the condition and preventing further complications. This cross-sectional study examined the practices and glycated hemoglobin levels among adult patients with diabetic neuropathy. The study employed a cross-sectional design. A sample of adult patients diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy at Nakuru referral and teaching hospital was recruited. Data on dietary practices, including food choices, meal patterns, and dietary restrictions, were collected through structured interviews. Nutrient intake was assessed using dietary recall methods and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The chi-square test was used across the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels to compare categorical variables. Adherence to dietary recommendations was evaluated based on established guidelines for diabetic neuropathy management. Preliminary findings reveal sub-optimal practices in adults with diabetic neuropathy. Those with one or two daily meals reported significantly elevated HbA1c levels [χ2=11.808, p=0.008]. Skipping meals, especially breakfast and lunch, correlated with elevated HbA1c [χ2=17.622, p=0.001]. Smokers and alcohol consumers had a higher proportion of elevated HbA1c [χ2=7.269, p=0.007] and [χ2=15.610, p&lt;0.001], respectively. Regular exercise, particularly daily or 1-3 times a week, is associated with lower HbA1c [χ2=37.329, p&lt;0.001]. Elevated HbA1c correlated significantly with daily intake of animal products [χ2=18.931, p&lt;0.001], fats and oils [χ2=12.211, p =0.00], fruits [χ2= 22.106, p&lt;0.001], and cereals [χ2=21.728, p&lt;0.001]. Conversely, daily consumption of vegetables [χ2=8.255, p=0.016], pulses, and legumes [χ2 =53.757, p&lt;0.001] were associated with normal HbA1c. However, occasional sugar and honey intake did not significantly impact HbA1c [χ2=1.082, p=0.582]. In conclusion, our study highlights sub-optimal practices in adult diabetic neuropathy patients, particularly in those consuming one or two meals daily, skipping breakfast and lunch, and engaging in smoking or alcohol. Regular exercise correlates with lower HbA1c, while certain dietary habits influence glycemic control. These insights inform targeted interventions for improved patient care.

Meal patterns, including intermittent fasting - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023.

'Meal patterns' refers to eating frequency, snacking, regularity, and timing. Here also including intermittent fasting. The effect of meal patterns on health is inconsistent and when updating the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 (NNR2023), summarizing the evidence is important. To describe the evidence for the role of meal patterns on bodyweight, body composition, and cardiovascular risk factors (i.e. blood pressure and lipid- and glukose metabolism) in healthy people living with normal weight, overweight, or obesity in all age groups. An initial search in PubMed found 481 reviews, of which 104 were identified based on titles. Of these, 47 were excluded based on title and abstracts. Of the remaining 57 reviews, 16 were included reporting search terms and inclusion/exclusion criteria. In addition, 8 reviews from reference list or known by authors were included. In total, 24 reviews were relevant. Cochrane Library was searched with no results. All reviews were rated low or critically low (AMSTAR 2). No consistent findings on eating frequency and body weight or composition were found in children/adolescents or adults. In snacking, mixed results were found, although among adults, some consistent results showed positive associations between snacking and body weight. In regularity, breakfast skipping showed mixed results in children/adolescents on body weight and composition. Among adults, randomized controlled trials on breakfast skipping showed a minor impact on improved weight loss. In prospective studies on timing, lower energy intake during late afternoon/evening was related to less body weight. Intermittent fasting reduced body weight but was not superior to continuous energy restrictions. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in a minority of the reviews, and despite some beneficial effects, the evidence was limited. Given the overall low to critically low quality of the reviews, the evidence is limited and inconclusive. No consistent results providing evidence for setting recommendations for meal patterns were shown. In this regard, meal patterns may vary within the context of an energy balanced and nutritionally adequate diet.

Chrononutrition in type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity: A narrative review.

Chrononutrition is a nutritional regimen that follows our biological clock, marked by the changes in metabolism that occur during the day. This regimen includes the distribution of energy, the regularity and frequency of meals, and the importance of these factors for metabolic health. A growing body of animal and human evidence indicates that the timing of food intake throughout the day can have a significant and beneficial impact on the metabolic health and well-being of individuals. In particular, both the timing and frequency of meals have been associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. Today's busy lifestyle makes many people skip breakfast and eat late at night. Eating late at night has been shown to cause a circadian misalignment, with the latter having a negative impact on weight control and glucose metabolism. Additionally, some studies have found a relatively strong association between skipping breakfast and insulin resistance, and T2DM. Against the backdrop of escalating obesity and T2DM rates, coupled with the recognized influence of food timing on disease evolution and control, this review aimed to synthesize insights from epidemiological and intervention studies of the interplay of timing of food intake and macronutrient consumption, reporting their impact on obesity and T2DM.

Multipronged effects of increased screen time on the nutritional imbalance: A cross-sectional study of students of Amritsar aged 6-16 years.

Intense marketing of fast-food items impacts the eating habits among children and adolescents. Various studies suggest that increased screen time leads to increased fast-food consumption and decreased sleep duration, both of which are linked to obesity in growing age. To assess screen time and dietary habits among the study group and to estimate their effect on sleep deprivation and obesity. This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2019 in three schools in Amritsar selected by lottery method of simple random sampling. Out of 4,226 students, 355 overweight and obese students were interviewed regarding their dietary habits. An informed written assent was taken from the mothers. The information was collected on a semi-structured, pre-designed questionnaire by interviewing the mothers of students between 6 and 11 years of age and the students of 12-16 years. 94.4% of students preferred fast foods to regular meals and 58.3% were in the habit of skipping breakfast. 59.4% had a history of daily intake of fast foods while 76.1% had a habit of consuming fast foods while watching television. Only 31.7% had an adequate sleeping pattern of 9-11 hours and 79.7% of the students had a screen time of over 3 hours. More the screen time, the more the chances of missing meals. Being awake for a long odd time leads to increased consumption of foods/snacks furthermore. Regarding the harmful effects of fast foods, the source of information was from schools, but only 41.4% were aware about these effects.

The impacts of COVID-19 on childhood obesity: prevalence, contributing factors, and implications for management.

This study aimed to identify changes in the prevalence of obesity and related diseases among children and adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study was conducted using data from the 2016-2021 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and included 3,861 children and adolescents aged 10-18 years. The prevalence of obesity and related diseases was adjusted for age, sex, and income. We also analyzed the socioeconomic, nutritional, and physical activity items in the survey. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of obesity (p=0.02), central obesity (p=0.001), mean body mass index (BMI, p=0.03), and hemoglobin A1c (p=0.005) among children and adolescents aged 10-18 years. The intake of food and calories was significantly reduced in the normal-weight group (p=0.001 and <0.001) but not in the obese group. Incidences of skipping breakfast increased and eating out decreased, regardless of obesity status. However, the changes in health behaviors were not significant. The prevalence of central obesity and increased BMI showed a significant linear association between children and their parents, especially in the 10-12-year-old age group. A clear increase in the proportion of metabolically unhealthy children and adolescents was observed in the obese group, and the frequency of central obesity in parents also increased. The number of metabolically unhealthy, obese children and adolescents increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Age-specific strategies that consider growth, development, and genetic and social factors are required. Health strategies targeting the entire family are required to develop healthier habits.

Determinants of the adherence to Mediterranean diet: application of the k-means cluster analysis profiling children in the Metropolitan City of Bari

The transition to sustainable food systems and the achievement of SDGs 2 and 12 entails the adoption of sustainable consumption and production patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet and its impact on nutritional status and health have been the focus of recent research. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, BMI (kg/m2), and age of children. The geographical area is the Metropolitan City of Bari (Apulia region, southern Italy), which is involved in the development of an effective food policy aimed at ensuring a sustainable food transition. An online survey was filled out by parents or guardians responsible for the dietary patterns of children between 2 and 15 years of age to collect data about their Mediterranean diet adherence through the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) and sociodemographic features, food habits and lifestyles, and anthropometric variables. Descriptive statistics and k-means cluster analysis were applied for profiling children, contributing to identifying the main factors that might affect individual Mediterranean diet adherence. Four clusters were characterized, taking into account food habits and lifestyle index, socioeconomic index, children’s age, and body mass index (BMI). Results showed an association between low adherence to the Mediterranean diet and high prevalence of overweight and obesity in children. The factors positively associated with following an optimal Mediterranean diet adherence were the mother’s education level and level of income; skipping breakfast is linked to low adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Therefore, targeted strategies should be put in place to improve Mediterranean diet adherence among children, promoting healthy dietary habits.

Association between breakfast skipping and psychosomatic symptoms among Canadian adolescents.

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the mediating roles of gender and substance use in the influence of breakfast skipping on psychosomatic symptoms. The study used data among a nationally-representative sample of 2855 Canadian adolescents who participated in the 2018 Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey. Sequential logistic regressions were used to estimate the associations between breakfast skipping and psychosomatic symptoms. Path analysis using a non-parametric bootstrapping technique tested the hypothesized mediating roles. Results showed that adolescents who skipped breakfast were 2.55 times more likely to report higher psychosomatic symptoms compared to non-breakfast skippers (AOR = 2.55; 95% CI = 1.75-3.82). The bootstrapping mediation models showed that breakfast skipping indirectly influenced psychosomatic symptoms through substance use and gender, accounting for 18.47% ( = 0.0052, Boots 95% CI = 0.0025, 0.00730) and 10.70% ( = 0.0091, Boots 95% CI = 0.0052, 0.0125), respectively, of the total effect. Our findings have important implications for targeted public and mental health interventions to address both breakfast skipping and psychosomatic symptoms among adolescents. Conclusion: The study compellingly underscores the significance of incorporating gender-specific factors and substance use in understanding the correlationbetween breakfast skipping and psychosomatic symptoms. These insights hold importance for tailoring public health interventions to alleviate theprevalence of psychosomatic symptoms among adolescents by actively addressing breakfast skipping. What is Known: • Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day due to its role in providing the brain with the energy necessary to enhance cognitive functions. • Adolescents commonly exhibit a prevalent lifestyle behaviour of skipping breakfast. What is New: • This study provides robust evidence supporting the association between breakfast skipping and elevated psychosomatic symptoms in adolescents. • Gender and substance use mediate this association, offering novel insights into the complex interplay that contributes to psychosomatic symptoms among this demographic group. • Longitudinal research is needed to unravel causal relationships and illuminate the underlying mechanisms of this intricate connection.

Guardians’ food literacy and breakfast skipping among Japanese school children

Children and adolescents who regularly skip breakfast are at a greater risk of obesity than those who regularly eat breakfast. Guardian's food literacy, defined in this study as a collection of a guardian's knowledge, skill, and attitude towards healthy food practices, may directly influence their child's dietary habits. Thus, this study utilized a food literacy scale to assess the relationship between guardians' food literacy and breakfast skipping among school-attending Japanese children and adolescents and the most commonly reported reasons for skipping breakfast. This was a cross-sectional study using survey data collected from a nationally representative sample of households in Japan (n = 1520). Our results show that 13.0% of children self-reported skipping breakfast at least once a week. Children in households where guardians reported higher knowledge and attitude scores had significantly lower odds of skipping breakfast (odds ratios = 0.90 [95% confidence interval: 0.83–0.98] and 0.81 [0.74–0.90], respectively). These findings suggest that a guardian's attitude and knowledge towards healthy food practices influence the frequency at which their child eats breakfast. Moreover, lower parental attitude scores were associated with children skipping due to not having enough time for breakfast in the morning. Improving guardians' food literacy may provide an avenue by which to decrease the rate of breakfast skipping among children and adolescents, thereby decreasing the risk of obesity and other adverse health outcomes.

Prevalence of the Patterns of Unhealthy Diet in the School and University Students of Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The present study was conducted to investigate the pooled prevalence rate of the different patterns of unhealthy diet among the school and university students of Iran. In this systematic review, the type of the main question was regarding prevalence and the effect measure was prevalence rate reported along with 95% confidence interval (CI). Data bases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science as well as Google Scholar and Persian resources were used. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) checklist was used for quality assessment of studies. The extracted types of unhealthy diet in the present systematic review were "breakfast skipper," "fast food," "hydrogenated oils consumption," "salty snacks," "sweetened beverages," "breakfast skipper," "dinner skipper," "launch skipper," and "sweets." The range of pooled prevalence for different types was 0.06-0.75. The data of 16,321 subjects included in six studies were analyzed. The pooled prevalence of unhealthy diet was 0.28 (95% CI: 0.23-0.33, I 2 > 99%) overall, 0.25 (95% CI: 0.20-0.31, I 2 > 99%) in school students and 0.37 (95% CI: 0.12-0.62, I 2 > 99%) in university students. The most prevalent pattern was breakfast skipping 0.39 (95% CI: 0.28-0.50) followed by consumption of sweetened beverages 0.31 (95% CI: 0.20-0.43). The pooled prevalence range among the patterns was 0.06-0.75 (random effects for all). The pooled prevalence was 28% for unhealthy diet among the Iranian students (6% to 75% in different patterns). Although there was uncertainty regarding the pooled evidence, the whole of the mentioned range was clinically important for health policymakers. Decisions should be made on the basis of the patterns.

Skipping breakfast is associated to inadequate nutrient intakes among Tunisian children: a cross-sectional study.

Breakfast is widely acknowledged as a crucial meal of the day, particularly for children, owing to its role in supplying essential nutrients and energy necessary for optimal growth and cognitive function. This study aims to examine differences in nutrient intake between breakfast skippers and non-skippers among children. A representative sample of 1,200 Tunisian preschool and schoolchildren, aged 3-9 years, was randomly selected from kindergartens and primary schools in the Greater Tunis region which includes four governorates (Tunis, Ariana, Manouba and Ben Arous) using a two-stage cross-sectional design. Stratification was carried out depending on each of the selected governorates and urban/rural areas. Dietary intake was evaluated using the 24-hour recall method and a diet history covering the week preceding the survey. Nutritional food composition was derived from a specific Tunisian food composition database. Nutrient intake below age- and sex-specific reference values was considered inadequate. The findings indicate that the daily intake of energy and nutrients was lower among breakfast skippers compared to regular breakfast eaters. After adjusting for energy, gender, age, BMI and household economic proxy, the daily consumption of total sugar, riboflavin, vitamin B-5, phosphorus and calcium was higher among breakfast consumers while saturated fatty acid intake was higher among skippers. A comparative analysis of daily mean food category intake between the two groups revealed a higher consumption of milk and dairy products among breakfast consumers. Regular breakfast consumption is an important part of maintaining a balanced diet and healthy weight.