The Prevalence of Breakfast Skipping and its Association with Lifestyle Factors and Weight in 11-15 years Adolescents from Selected Lebanese Regions

Abstract

Studies have shown that frequent breakfast skipping is associated to overweight and obesity problems. The habit of skipping breakfast is increasing among adolescents. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of breakfast skipping among adolescents living in Lebanon. Data was collected from 404 adolescents, located in three Lebanese districts. Anthropometric measurements through calibrated equipments and dietary intake were collected by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), sociodemographic and lifestyle information were obtained by a pre-tested questionnaire, in addition BMI for age was used to determine obesity. Linear and ANOVA regressions were used to assess the association between breakfast and BMI-for-age. Six definitions of breakfast skipping were used and the prevalence varied between 8.4% and 42.8%. Linear regression was used to test the association between breakfast skipping and BMI for age. Skipping breakfast was correlated with school type, parental preparation of food, sleeping duration, milk consumption and eating meals. The association between breakfast and BMI-for-age could not be settled due to the absence of a standard definition of breakfast skipping. Our findings could not confirm a relation between breakfast and BMI-for-age. Nevertheless, skipping breakfast was related to many factors. Encouraging breakfast could be efficient for the enhancement of health. New research could be settled to find reasons for obesity and to limit its impact on adolescents living in Lebanon.