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Breakfast skipping and obesity are common among children, and co-existing might have deleterious consequences. Investigating gender-related differences is important for an effective intervention. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to assess gender differences in body mass index and breakfast skipping among Saudi children. PubMed, MEDLINE, EBSCO, and the first 100 articles from Google Scholar were searched from inception up to November 2023. The keywords used were breakfast skipping, breakfast intake, body mass index, obesity, overweight, screening time, sleep duration, and Saudi Arabia. An Excel sheet including the study type, region of publication, year of publication, breakfast consumption among males and females, the number of participants, and body mass index was used for data extraction. Five studies included 4922 schoolchildren from different regions of Saudi Arabia. There were no differences between males and females regarding breakfast intake, either when breakfast was percentages or mean± SD. Odd ratio: 0.09, 95% CI: -0.06-0.25, P-value for overall effect: 0.25, and odd ratio: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.80-1.53, P-value for overall effect: 0.56. Body mass index was higher among males and compared to their female counterparts, but did not amount to statistical significance. P-value, 0.09; Odd ratio, -1.28.09; 95% CI, -2.78-0.22. No differences were evident between males and females regarding breakfast intake and body mass index among Saudi schoolchildren; further studies investigating sleep patterns, texting, and their relationship to obesity are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Breakfast is considered the day’s most important meal. Skipping breakfast consumption is detrimental to health and intellectual performance. University life has tight schedules and rigorous intellectual activities often very early in the morning. This study aimed at assessing breakfast intake and its associated factors among the students of Takoradi Technical University (TTU). Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data was collected from 347 students in TTU using pre-tested questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using STATA v17. It employed descriptive and inferential statistics such as logistic regression. P-value less than 0.05 was set as statistical significance at 95% confidence interval. Results Regular breakfast was taken by 35.7% of the students. Higher odds of regular breakfast intake were found among respondents aged 25–29 years (AOR = 3.13, 95%CI = 1.57–6.24) and those who buy their breakfast (AOR = 5.13, 95%CI = 2.16–12.19). However, lower odds of regular breakfast consumption were found among respondents who were females (AOR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.18–0.85). Barriers to regular breakfast intake included negative mood, insufficient funds, health condition, weight management, religious reasons such as fasting, limited time/unfavourable academic schedules, daily activities/workload, and cost of food on campus. Conclusion The study stressed on the need for external and personal factors such as sex, age, religion, limited time/unfavourable academic schedules among others that hinder habitual breakfast intake to be addressed adopting innovative approach such as peer education and campaigns. University management should implement favourable policies on academic schedules, canteens/cafeterias, less stringent regulation on cooking at halls of residence.

Background: Breakfast is considered the day's most important meal. Skipping breakfast consumption is detrimental to health and intellectual performance. University life has tight schedules and rigorous intellectual activities often very early in the morning. This study aimed at assessing breakfast intake and its associated factors among the students of Takoradi Technical University (TTU). Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data was collected from 347 students in TTU using pre-tested questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using STATA v17. It employed descriptive and inferential statistics such as logistic regression. P-value less than 0.05 was set as statistical significance at 95% confidence interval. Results: Regular breakfast was taken by 35.7% of the students. Higher odds of regular breakfast intake were found among respondents aged 25–29 years (AOR = 3.13, 95%CI = 1.57–6.24) and those who buy their breakfast (AOR = 5.13, 95%CI = 2.16–12.19). However, lower odds of regular breakfast consumption were found among respondents who were females (AOR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.18–0.85). Barriers to regular breakfast intake included negative mood, insufficient funds, health condition, weight management, religious reasons such as fasting, limited time/unfavourable academic schedules, daily activities/workload, and cost of food on campus. Conclusion: The study stressed on the need for external and personal factors such as sex, age, religion, limited time/unfavourable academic schedules among others that hinder habitual breakfast intake to be addressed adopting innovative approach such as peer education and campaigns. University management should implement favourable policies on academic schedules, canteens/cafeterias, less stringent regulation on cooking at halls of residence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effects of breakfast intake on cerebral blood flow (CBF). Methods Thirty healthy volunteers were selected, all volunteers performed meal fasting 3D MRI arterial spin marker imaging and a second arterial spin marker examination in the range of (39.6 ± 12. 66) minutes after breakfast. CBF perfusion map before and after breakfast were registered to Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) space. The CBF values of the whole-brain gray matter and each brain region were extracted based on the Anatomical Automatic Labeling (AAL) partitioning template. Paired T-tests and Bland-Altman analysis were also performed. Potential association of CBF changes and clinical indicators were analyzed based on Pearson correlation analysis. Results Compared with fasting CBF perfusion, the CBF perfusion of 21 brain regions after breakfast intake (including left orbital middle frontal gyrus, left triangular inferior frontal gyrus, left central sulcus cover, right central sulcus cover, left insula, right insula, left anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyrus, left medial and paracingulate gyrus, right medial and paracingulate gyrus, right wedge lobe, left superior occipital gyrus, right superior occipital gyrus, left middle occipital gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, left inferior occipital gyrus, right inferior occipital gyrus, left superior parietal gyrus, left superior marginal gyrus, right transverse temporal gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus and right superior temporal gyrus) decreased significantly. These CBF changes were not significantly correlated with clinical variables [age, ASL interval after eating, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and mean blood pressure]. Conclusion Breakfast intake decreases the CBF perfusion, which is not related to age, gender, BMI index and blood pressure, indicating that the diet should be considered in clinical perfusion evlaution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether the frequency of purchasing local agricultural products and the intake frequency of self-cooked meals were related to healthy eating habits. A cross-sectional study was conducted using anonymized data from the "Survey on health promotion and food-and-nutritional education" conducted in 2021 in Tamamura, Gunma, Japan, targeting residents aged 20–65. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using the purchasing frequency of local agricultural products (often/sometimes/rarely) and the intake frequency of self-cooked meals (almost every day/not every day) as independent variables. The dependent variables were the frequencies of breakfast (every day/not every day), balanced meal (two times/day or more/fewer than two times/day), and vegetable intake (two times/day or more/fewer than two times/day). The purchasing frequency of local agricultural products was positively related to the frequency of balanced meal and vegetable intake. Additionally, the intake frequency of self-cooked meals was positively related to the frequencies of breakfast, balanced meal, and vegetable intake. In conclusion, significant positive relationships of the purchasing frequency of local agricultural products and the intake frequency of self-cooked meals with healthy eating habits were confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedentariness and varied eating habits influence body composition and increase the risk of developing lifestyle diseases. The study aimed to investigate the sedentary levels, eating habits and body composition of university students in Eswatini, as well as unpacking the association of body composition with sedentariness and eating habits. The study recruited 158 participants, 82 females with a mean age of 21.3±2.1 years and 76 males with a mean age of 22.2±2.48 years, using random sampling at the University of Eswatini, Kwaluseni Campus. A seven-day self-administered sedentary measurement questionnaire and the 24-hour diet recall questionnaire were administered, in addition to Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations. The students presented with high levels of weekday sedentary behaviours of 6.7±0.92 hours. A high daily carbohydrate of 7.1±2.81 servings and high meal intake of 3.7±0.99 servings were noted. Snacking habits were prevalent (36.8%). The majority of the students (95%) did not skip breakfast. There was a high prevalence of overweight and obesity (40.4%). The correlation between body composition and sedentary behaviours was positive, but not significant (r=0.146; p=0.068). Despite this weak correlation, the study confirms unhealthy behaviours amongst university students and highlights the need for health promotion intervention programmes for Eswatini university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether the frequency of purchasing local agricultural products and the intake frequency of self-cooked meals were related to healthy eating habits. A cross-sectional study was conducted using anonymized data from the “Survey on health promotion and food-and-nutritional education” conducted in 2021 in Tamamura, Gunma, Japan, targeting residents aged 20–65. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using the purchasing frequency of local agricultural products (often/sometimes/rarely) and the intake frequency of self-cooked meals (almost every day/not every day) as independent variables. The dependent variables were the frequencies of breakfast (every day/not every day), balanced meal (two times/day or more/fewer than two times/day), and vegetable intake (two times/day or more/fewer than two times/day). The purchasing frequency of local agricultural products was positively related to the frequency of balanced meal and vegetable intake. Additionally, the intake frequency of self-cooked meals was positively related to the frequencies of breakfast, balanced meal, and vegetable intake. In conclusion, significant positive relationships of the purchasing frequency of local agricultural products and the intake frequency of self-cooked meals with healthy eating habits were confirmed.

We investigated breakfast eating habits and lifestyle behaviors among Saudi school children attending public versus private schools. A random sample of 1149 children (girls: 54.4%) from public and private schools was selected from elementary schools using the multistage stratified cluster method. Measurements included body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and selfreported questionnaires filled by the child's parents. There was no significant (p = 0.44) difference in the prevalence of breakfast intake between children attending public (20.6%) versus private (19.4%) schools. However, there was a gender by school type interactions in breakfast intake frequency, as boys in private but not in public schools had significantly (p = 0.006) higher (26.3%) daily breakfast intake than girls (13.3%). Over 56% of the children ate and drank from the school canteen, and impacting factors on children's choices were children's desire, food taste, and parental influence. More parents of children in private (12.1%) than in public (6.9%) schools were satisfied with the food in the school canteen. Younger age (aOR = 0.889, 95% CI = 0.815--0.970, p = 0.008), higher father education (aOR = 1.380, 95% CI = 1.130--1.686, p = 0.002), family income (aOR = 1.227, 95% CI = 1.005--1.498, p = 0.044), and insufficient sleep duration (aOR = 0.740, 95% CI = 0.553--0.990, p = 0.042) were significantly associated with being in a private school. Furthermore, no significant differences, when adjusted for socio-demographic factors, appeared in breakfast intake or overweight/obesity relative to school type. Interventions to improve daily breakfast consumption and lifestyle behaviors of Saudi children are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated breakfast eating habits and lifestyle behaviors among Saudi school children attending public versus private schools. A random sample of 1149 children (girls: 54.4%) from public and private schools was selected from elementary schools using the multistage stratified cluster method. Measurements included body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and self-reported questionnaires filled by the child’s parents. There was no significant (p = 0.44) difference in the prevalence of breakfast intake between children attending public (20.6%) versus private (19.4%) schools. However, there was a gender by school type interactions in breakfast intake frequency, as boys in private but not in public schools had significantly (p = 0.006) higher (26.3%) daily breakfast intake than girls (13.3%). Over 56% of the children ate and drank from the school canteen, and impacting factors on children’s choices were children’s desire, food taste, and parental influence. More parents of children in private (12.1%) than in public (6.9%) schools were satisfied with the food in the school canteen. Younger age (aOR = 0.889, 95% CI = 0.815–0.970, p = 0.008), higher father education (aOR = 1.380, 95% CI = 1.130–1.686, p = 0.002), family income (aOR = 1.227, 95% CI = 1.005–1.498, p = 0.044), and insufficient sleep duration (aOR = 0.740, 95% CI = 0.553–0.990, p = 0.042) were significantly associated with being in a private school. Furthermore, no significant differences, when adjusted for socio-demographic factors, appeared in breakfast intake or overweight/obesity relative to school type. Interventions to improve daily breakfast consumption and lifestyle behaviors of Saudi children are warranted.

Breakfast is a vital meal that provides children with important nutrients and energy. This study examined the anthropometric, familial- and lifestyle-related characteristics of school children skipping breakfast. A total of 1149 children (boys: 45.5%), 6 to 12 years old (mean and SD: 9.3 ± 1.7 years), were randomly selected from elementary schools in Jeddah. Weight and height were measured. Breakfast eating frequency, socio-demographics, and lifestyle behaviors were assessed using a specifically designed self-report questionnaire reported by the parents. Nearly 80% of the children skipped daily breakfast at home with no significant age or gender differences. The most common reasons for skipping breakfast at home included not feeling hungry and waking up late for school. Fried egg sandwiches and breakfast cereals were most frequently consumed for breakfast. Strong parental support for breakfast as the main daily meal was significantly associated with daily breakfast intake. Logistic regression analyses, adjusted for age, gender, and socio-demographics, revealed that paternal education (aOR = 1.212, 95% CI = 1.020–1.440, p = 0.029), maternal education (aOR = 1.212, 95% CI = 1.003–1.464, p=0.046), insufficient sleep (aOR = 0.735, 95% CI = 0.567–0.951, p = 0.019), and BMI 2 (aOR = 1.333, 95% CI = 1.015–1.752, p = 0.039) were significantly associated with breakfast intake. The findings have implications for children’s health and school performance. Concerted effort is required to promote breakfast consumption among Saudi children.

ObjectiveTo assess the association of breakfast intake with Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity levels, obesity, selected cardiovascular risk markers and Fe status.DesignCross-sectional study. BMI, body fat percentage and waist circumference were assessed. Physical activity was assessed using a pedometer and diet quality was evaluated by applying the KIDMED index. Blood tests to assess blood lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fasting glucose, serum Fe and ferritin, as well as Hb, were performed.SettingPrimary-school children of the Troodos mountainous area in Cyprus.SubjectsEighty-three Cypriot children (mean age 9·2 (sd 1·7) years).ResultsCompared with breakfast skippers, regular breakfast eaters were 40 % more likely to have a KIDMED score higher by one point on average (OR=1·41; 95 % CI 1·08, 1·84) after accounting for obesity levels and other confounders. Breakfast skippers, on the other hand, were by about 14 % more likely to have a body fat percentage value higher by one unit, as well as higher values for both BMI and waist circumference. The relationship was significantly strengthened when combining body fat percentage and waist circumference into a composite variable (OR=0·20; 95 % CI 0·06, 0·69). Fasting glucose was inversely correlated to breakfast intake in descriptive analyses, whereas serum Fe was positively correlated to breakfast intake after considering age, gender and diet quality. The latter relationship disappeared, however, after considering physical activity levels.ConclusionsCypriot children who take breakfast regularly exhibit a higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet and have higher serum Fe concentrations and lower BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage and fasting glucose levels, compared with children who skip breakfast. Public health professionals, educators and parents should prioritize on actions that will motivate children to regularly eat breakfast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes associations between breakfast intake and school achievements among Norwegian 9th graders in 2015 and 2019. The study involved a representative sample based on Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), N = 4499 (2015) and N = 4685 (2019). This trend study using structural equation modelling and triangulation revealed a significant positive association between breakfast intake and school achievements among Norwegian 9th graders. This was found for both mathematics and science achievements, in 2015 and 2019, reported both by the students and their teachers. Mediation analyses showed that being hungry at school explained a third of the decrease in science achievement and more than half of the decrease in mathematics achievement from 2015 to 2019. • There has been a large decline in Norwegian student's breakfast intake and school achievement from 2015 to 2019. • Breakfast intake was positively associated with school achievements in mathematics and science among 9th graders. • This was found for mathematics and science achievements, in 2015 and 2019, reported both by the students and their teachers. • Breakfast skipping explained a third of the decrease in science and more than half in mathematics from 2015 to 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveBreakfast has been linked to several aspects of health, yet breakfast skipping is rampant across the globe. Studies in India have focused mostly on children. Hence the present study examined breakfast behaviour across different age and gender groups.DesignCross-sectional sample, purposive sampling. Nutrient intakes of the participants derived from 24 h dietary recall and 3 d breakfast record data were compared with RDA values prescribed by the Indian Council of Medical Research using Student's t test, with P < 0·05 taken to indicate significance.SettingMumbai, India.SubjectsParticipants (n 1027) aged 8 years and above.ResultsNutritional adequacy of the breakfast meal and that of the day's diet were the main outcome measures. Eighty-one per cent of the participants had a nutritionally inadequate breakfast. Intakes of Fe and dietary fibre were notably low. Consumption of just milk or milk plus a milk food-based drink among schoolchildren (49 %) and increased breakfast skipping among adolescents (37 %) were seen.ConclusionsThe study identifies both irregularities and/or nutritional inadequacies with respect to the breakfast meal. Age- and gender-specific challenges in breakfast behaviour need to be addressed. Development of ‘nutrient-dense’ breakfast foods that can be prepared easily, school breakfast programmes and education on the importance of breakfast are the needs of the hour. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The contributors to trends in increasing prevalence of obesity in the US population are poorly understood. Objective: We examined secular trends in food consumption behaviors to understand their possible contribution to increasing energy intakes and adiposity in the American population. Design: We used dietary data from 4 consecutive National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) to examine trends (1971-2002) in frequency of eating episodes, meal and snack consumption, quantity of food consumed, and the energy density of foods reported by adult Americans (n = 39 094). Logistic and linear regression methods were used to adjust for multiple covariates and survey design. Results: The reported number of all eating episodes increased slightly in women from 4.90 in 1971-1975 to 5.04 in 1999-2002 (P for trend = 0.002). The amount (in g) of foods and beverages consumed, the energy density of foods, and energy intake per eating episode increased, but the mention of breakfast declined in both sexes (P for trend < 0.0001). The observed trends in mention of a snack (in men) and percentage of energy from evening food intake (in women) were downward. The amount (in g) of foods and their energy density were independent positive correlates of obesity in combined data from all surveys (P for trend < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our results do not support large increases in eating frequency, snacking, or evening eating by the American population from 1971 to 2002. The quantity of foods and their energy density increased beginning in NHANES III (1988-1994) with trajectories roughly parallel to the rates of prevalence of obesity in the US population. However, we urge cautious interpretation of these results because of concurrent changes in dietary methods during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breakfast is a vital meal that provides children with important nutrients and energy. This study examined the anthropometric, familial- and lifestyle-related characteristics of school children skipping breakfast. A total of 1149 children (boys: 45.5%), 6 to 12 years old (mean and SD: 9.3 ± 1.7 years), were randomly selected from elementary schools in Jeddah. Weight and height were measured. Breakfast eating frequency, socio-demographics, and lifestyle behaviors were assessed using a specifically designed self-report questionnaire reported by the parents. Nearly 80% of the children skipped daily breakfast at home with no significant age or gender differences. The most common reasons for skipping breakfast at home included not feeling hungry and waking up late for school. Fried egg sandwiches and breakfast cereals were most frequently consumed for breakfast. Strong parental support for breakfast as the main daily meal was significantly associated with daily breakfast intake. Logistic regression analyses, adjusted for age, gender, and socio-demographics, revealed that paternal education (aOR = 1.212, 95% CI = 1.020–1.440, p = 0.029), maternal education (aOR = 1.212, 95% CI = 1.003–1.464, p=0.046), insufficient sleep (aOR = 0.735, 95% CI = 0.567–0.951, p = 0.019), and BMI <25 kg/m2 (aOR = 1.333, 95% CI = 1.015–1.752, p = 0.039) were significantly associated with breakfast intake. The findings have implications for children's health and school performance. Concerted effort is required to promote breakfast consumption among Saudi children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]