Who is at risk of irregular meal intake? Results from a population-based study.

Aim: Irregular meal intakes have several harmful effects on health and yet it is largely unknown which factors are related to irregular meal intakes. In order to understand variations in regularity of meal intakes, associations between sociodemographics, health conditions, health behaviours, work characteristics and meal intakes were studied. Subject and methods: Cross-sectional data of 2,395 men and 2,419 women (45-75 years) participating in the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study, a population-based prospective cohort study in Germany, were analysed. Information on the regularity of breakfast, lunch and supper intake was obtained from a self-reported questionnaire. Multivariate ordinal regression models were run to estimate associations between sociodemographics, health conditions, health behaviours, work characteristics and meal intakes. Results: Findings confirm an association between age [odds ratio (OR) 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95-0.97], number of household members (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79-0.95), diabetes (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.50-0.84), fruit and vegetable consumption (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.54-0.73) and regular meal intakes. High body mass index (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.06), being divorced, separated or widowed (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.17-2.10), smoking (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.51-2.11) and daily working hours (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.08) were related to irregular meal intakes. Conclusion: These results indicate that indicators of social support such as number of household members or marital status, other health behaviours and work conditions influence the regularity of meal intakes rather than socioeconomic conditions per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]