Association between breakfast dietary patterns and physical activity in Japanese fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school children / 体力科学

This study aimed to explore the association of breakfast (BF) dietary patterns with physical activity (PA) and fitness in elementary school children. This study enrolled 242 school children of 5th and 6th grade. BF dietary patterns were evaluated by questionnaires on whether the child consumes the following food categories: staple, main dish, side dish, soup, milk or dairy products, and fruit. Individual PA levels were categorized into high and low PA groups using a PA scale for children. The measured 8 assessments of physical fitness scores were converted to Z-scores normalized for sex, age and height as previously reported. High PA group had significantly higher scores in running and muscle strength as well as in the total score of physical fitness. The frequency of eating BF (with or without BF omission) and the level of PA were not significantly related in both sexes. However, in girl children, BF, including staple, main dish, side dish, and soup, was significantly more prevalent in high PA group than low PA group (55.9% vs. 32.1%; χ2 = 5.638, p = 0.018). A similar tendency was observed in girls who had BF, including staple, main dish, and side dish (49.0% vs. 31.1%; χ2 = 3.720, p = 0.054). No associations between dietary patterns and PA were observed in boys. The results suggested that the frequency of eating BF was not associated with PA levels, which was significantly related to physical fitness in Japanese 5th and 6th grade elementary school children. In contrast, the results indicated that a high-quality BF dietary pattern, such as a meal including staple, main dish, side dish, and soup, might be associated with a physically active girl child.

Skipping breakfast and physical fitness among school-aged adolescents

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the relationship between skipping breakfast and physical fitness in a group of school-aged adolescents in China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study from the Chinese National Surveillance on Students' Constitution and Health (CNSSCH) survey in Ningbo, China, used a standardized questionnaire to assess the frequency of breakfast consumption. Physical fitness was measured through standing long jump, 50-m sprint, 1,000 (or 800)-m run, and vital capacity tests. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the frequency of breakfast consumption and physical fitness. RESULTS: Our study included a total of 1,849 school-aged adolescents (aged 15.53±1.80 years). Among boys, non-breakfast-skippers had good scores for 50-m sprints, 1,000-m run, and vital capacity tests when compared with breakfast skippers (all p<0.05). Among girls, non-breakfast-skippers had a good scores for the standing long jump test compared with breakfast skippers (p=0.003). The multiple linear regression model showed that not skipping breakfast was positively associated with vital capacity (β=-173.78, p=0.004) and inversely associated with 50-m sprint (β=-0.12, p=0.018) and 1,000-m run times (β=-8.08, p=0.001) in boys. CONCLUSION: The results of this cross-sectional study revealed that skipping breakfast might be associated with lower physical fitness in Chinese adolescents aged 13-18 years, especially boys. Breakfast consumption should be promoted among Chinese school-aged boys.

Factors Associated with Breakfast Skipping among School-going Adolescents in Sarawak, Malaysia

Introduction: Breakfast skipping is an unhealthy eating behaviour reportedly common among adolescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the differences in body weight status, socio-demographic, behavioural, and psychological characteristics between daily breakfast takers and breakfast skippers. Methods: Data were collected from form four students of four randomly selected secondary schools in Sibu, Sarawak using a self-administered questionnaire. Body weight and height were measured using standard procedures and BMI-for-age z-scores were determined. Results: A total of 375 students were recruited (male: 32.0%, female: 68.0%; Chinese: 39.5%, than: 26.4%, Malay: 17.1% and Melanau: 17.1%; mean age = 16.45 � 0.53 years). The prevalence rate of breakfast skippers at 40.3% was higher compared to the national prevalence of 32.7%. About 19.7% of the students were found to be at risk of eating disorders. In addition, the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 10.9% and 7.7%, respectively. Significant associations were found between breakfast skipping with sex, lunch skipping, dinner skipping, eating attitudes, and body weight status. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that female students and those who skipped lunch or dinner were more likely to skip breakfast. Conclusion: Breakfast skipping was quite common in this sample of adolescents in Sarawak. As frequent breakfast skipping has negative health and academic performance implications, increased nutrition education and health awareness campaigns on the importance of breakfast taking among school students should be undertaken.

Dietary Behaviors, Processed Food Preferences and Awareness Levels of Nutrition Labels among Female University Students Living in Middle Region by Breakfast Eating

The purpose of this study was to examine the dietary behaviors, processed food preferences, and awareness levels of nutrition labels among female university students living in middle region by breakfast eating. A total of 243 students (breakfast eating group: 153, breakfast skipping group: 90) were surveyed from April to May of 2011. The results are summarized as follows: Skipping breakfast (SB) group had a significantly higher frequency of skipping lunch and dinner compared with the eating breakfast (EB) group (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). In the EB group, food labels were identified sometimes (31.8%), frequently (29.1%), and rarely (28.5%). In the SB group, food labels were identified rarely (33.3%), sometimes (27.8%), and frequently (26.7%). The EB group used food labels for comparing price and weight of products more frequently than the SB group (P<0.05). In the EB group, nutrition labels were identified sometimes (38.0%), frequently (28.1%), and rarely (24.8%). In the SB group, nutrition labels were identified rarely (32.6%), sometimes (30.3%), and frequently (21.4%). The EB group used food labels for identifying nutrient contents more often and for weight control more less than the SB group (P<0.05, P<0.05, respectively). The main reason for not identifying nutrition label of the processed foods was 'not being interested (55.5%)' in the SB group (P<0.05). Therefore, education programs that emphasize the importance of eating breakfast, and reading food and nutrition labels need to be developed for university students.

Evaluation of Energy and Nutrient Intake as well as Dietary Behaviors in Elementary School and Middle School Students Residing in Chungnam according to Breakfast Eating Status

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dietary behaviors as well as energy and nutrient intake in elementary and middle school students according to breakfast eating status. The survey was conducted using questionnaires and dietary records among 191 elementary school students and 280 middle school students residing in Chungnam. The subjects were divided into two groups according to frequency of eating breakfast: breakfast skipping (frequency of eating breakfast under 4 times/week) and breakfast eating (frequency of eating breakfast over 5 times/week). The rate of breakfast skipping was 27.2% for the elementary school students and 31.1% for the middle school students. The breakfast skipping group had a significantly lower frequency of having dinner, a lower proportion of eating at regular meal times, and a significantly higher frequency of leaving food after meals than the breakfast eating group for both elementary and middle school students. In the case of the elementary students, there was a significant difference in carbohydrate intake between the two groups. In the case of the middle school students, the intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B2, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C, Ca, and Fe in the breakfast skipping group were significantly lower than those in the breakfast eating group. These results show that nutrient deficiencies among breakfast skipping individuals cannot be compensated for at the other meals during the day in middle school-aged adolescents whose nutrient requirements are high for growth. Therefore, in support of proper dietary management, it is necessary to promote and support breakfast eating in adolescents.

Development and Evaluation of an Elementary School Nutrition Education Program to Prevent Breakfast Skipping / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a nutrition education program to prevent breakfast skipping for elementary school children. Subjects were 102 5th grade students (51 boys, 51 girls) as the "education group" and 200 5th grade students (102 boys, 98 girls) as the "non-education group." The nutrition education program consisted of 4 lessons over an 8-week period. Teaching materials, including flash animation, panel, PowerPoint, and a bingo game, were developed for this education program. After education, there was significant increase in the percentage of students who had eaten breakfast every day, understood that breakfast has a great effect on health, and will eat breakfast every day in the education group compared to non-education group. Parents' positive behavior toward daily breakfast preparation and the percentage of parents who had their children eat breakfast every day increased significantly. The students of the education group responded positively to the questions of the benefit and importance of nutrition education. The flash animation received high marks, especially in terms of understanding of contents, content clarity, emphasis of the core content, delivery of necessary knowledge, and applicability of breakfast. This study shows the effectiveness of a 4-lesson nutrition education taught during an 8-week time period to induce changes in recognizing the importance of breakfast and in behavior toward breakfast consumption.

A Survey on the Breakfast Skipping Rate of Korean Adults Relative to Their Lifestyle and Breakfast Skipping Reasons and Dietary Behavior of Breakfast Skippers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study investigated the rates and reasons for breakfast skipping according to gender, age, and lifestyle related factors in Korean adults. The survey was conducted using questionnaires and the subjects included 1148 male and female adults aged 19-64. The rate of breakfast skipping (frequency of eating breakfast under 4 times/week) was 41.20% of the total subjects. The breakfast skipping rate of the male subjects was significantly higher than that of the female subjects (p < 0.001). As age and household income decreased, the breakfast skipping rate increased. Residents in small cities more frequently skipped breakfast than those in larger cities. The main reason for breakfast skipping was "lack of time for the preparation and consumption of food" and this reason was especially higher for office workers and younger adults among the participants. In addition, the proportion of habitual breakfast skippers increased with age. Among the answers regarding the person who prepares breakfast in their households, the highest proportion was for "family members" in the males and "myself" for the females. Of breakfast skippers, 77.63% answered that they consumed breakfast substitutes such as breads, dairy and fruits/vegetables. To summarize the results, the gender, age and lifestyle factors of adults were significantly related to the rates and reasons for breakfast skipping. Therefore, to reduce breakfast skipping in Korean adults, a differentiated nutritional education approach relative to gender, age, and lifestyle is needed along with the development of balanced breakfast substitutes.

Breakfast Skipping and Its Associated Factors among Undergraduates in a Public University in Kuala Lumpur

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in a public university in Kuala Lumpur among a random sample of 2665 undergraduates. The objective was to study the prevalence of breakfast skipping and its associated factors. Data collection was conducted via a self-administered pre-tested questionnaire. There were 43.5% male respondents, with Malays being the majority (58.3%). The prevalence of breakfast skipping was 29.2 (95% CI: 27.3 – 30.3) %. The factors significantly associated with breakfast skipping (p<0.05) were age, race, accommodation, faculty and skipping dinner. As the respondents’ age increased, their risk of breakfast skipping was lower (OR: 0.95; 0.89 – 0.99). Malays (OR: 1.94; 1.48 – 2.54), Indians (OR: 1.70; 1.08 – 2.66), and students from the Sabah and Sarawak indigenous communities (OR: 2.13; 1.37 – 3.33) were more likely to skip breakfast compared to their Chinese counterparts. Respondents who stayed in their own houses were also less likely to skip breakfast compared to those staying in hostel with meals catered (OR: 2.32; 1.39 – 3.84), hostel with cafeteria (OR: 2.92; 1.74 – 4.91) or in rented houses (OR: 2.08; 1.25 – 3.46). Respondents majoring in Arts & Economics had 1.40 (1.07 – 1.82) times risk of breakfast skipping compared to those majoring in Life Sciences. Those who skipped dinner too had twice the odds (1.47 – 2.77) of breakfast skipping. In conclusion the prevalence of breakfast skipping among the undergraduates of this university was moderately high. Health awareness campaigns or introduction of healthy eating guidelines should be initiated for the undergraduates as well as food caterers in campus. The policy and pricing of catered food in campus should also be reviewed.

Effect of School Breakfast Service on Attitudes Toward Breakfast and School Breakfast of Male Middle School Stu / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was conducted to analyze the effect of male middle school students'eating school breakfast on their attitudes toward breakfast and school breakfast. In addition, the effect of school breakfast on breakfast-related eating behaviors and academic achievement was investigated. The study subjects were selected from a male middle school located in Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. Breakfast was provided at the school for 7 weeks during the 2nd semester of the year 2006. Two sophomore classes were selected for the experimental study. All the students from one class (n = 34; School Breakfast Eaters) have eaten school breakfast while none of the students from the other class (n = 33; School Breakfast Non-eaters) have done so. About two weeks after the school breakfast service was terminated, questionnaires were distributed to the two classes and the responses were analyzed. The results showed that School Breakfast Eaters had more positive attitudes toward breakfast and school breakfast than School Breakfast Non-eaters. In addition, School Breakfast Eaters perceived the positive effect of eating breakfast on their school life more highly than School Breakfast Non-eaters. However there was no significant difference between the two groups in their breakfast eating behaviors in terms of breakfast skipping when the breakfast service was not available. No significant difference was found between the two groups with regards to math score variation before and after school breakfast service. In conclusion, school breakfast for 7 weeks had positive effects on male middle school students'attitudes toward breakfast and school breakfast, although the effect was not confirmed in their breakfast-related eating behaviors after the school breakfast service was terminated.

Effects of Frequent Eating-out and Breakfast Skipping on Body Mass Index and Nutrients Intake of Working Male Adults: Analysis of 2001 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey Data / 대한지역사회영양학회지

In order to investigate the effects of frequent eating-out and breakfast skipping of working men on body mass index and nutrients intake status, working male adults aged 20 or over were selected (n = 1883) from the data of 2001 Korea national health and nutrition survey. The subjects were divided into 4 groups according to the eating-out frequency(high: once or more daily, low: less than once daily) and breakfast eating or not. Four groups were high eating-out with breakfast eating (n = 609), high eating-out with breakfast skipping (n = 192), low eating-out with breakfast eating (n = 877), and low eatingout with breakfast skipping (n = 205). High eating-out group showed higher body mass index (BMI) than low eating-out group, but the difference of BMI was disappeared when adjusted with age, residence region and family income. However high eating-out group in case of breakfast eating, compared with the low eating-out, showed higher intakes or densities of energy, fat, fat-energy% and higher ratio of energy-fat overintake, and also showed higher mean nutritional adequacy ratio and lower ratio of nutrients intake deficiency. Calcium, iron, vitamin A and C intakes were not affected by eating-out frequency, but were lowered by breakfast skipping. Breakfast skipping also decreased intake frequency of unprocessed cereals and increased those of ramyon and carbonated and alcoholic beverages. From the results frequent eating-out with breakfast eating caused increased intakes of energy and fat, but did not cause BMI increase. Breakfast skipping, but not eating-out, had negative influences on mineral and vitamin intakes. Accordingly good eating-out as well as breakfast eating should be exceedingly emphasized at nutrition education for the working males.

Status of Children's Breakfast Skipping and Their Mothers' Needs for Breakfast Service at Child Care Centers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of children's breakfast skipping and their mothers' needs for breakfast service at child care centers. A survey was conducted with mothers of children aged 3 to 5 years and attending child care centers in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. Out of 960 questionnaires distributed to the caregivers at 32 child care centers, 633 were returned (66% response rate), and 449 were analyzed (47% analysis rate) after excluding data from the respondents not meeting the selection criteria for this study: mothers of children aged 3 to 5 years. Over 2/3 (69%) of children ate breakfast every weekday (Breakfast Eaters) and almost 1/3 (31%) of children skipped breakfast one time or more often on weekdays (Breakfast Skippers). The collected data were compared between Breakfast Eaters and Breakfast Skippers. The average Good Dietary Practice Score of Breakfast Skippers was significantly lower than that of Breakfast Eaters, implying poorer dietary habits. A higher percentage of mothers of Breakfast Skippers (62%) responded that breakfast service was 'necessary' or 'very necessary' at child care centers than those of Breakfast Eaters (27%). A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine factors affecting mothers' needs for breakfast service at child care centers. The result showed that the children's ages, mothers' occupational status, household monthly income, frequencies of eating breakfast on weekdays and satisfaction level with morning snack provided at child care centers affected mothers' needs for breakfast service at child care centers. In particular, mothers who had a full-time job (OR = 2.06) than housewives, mothers whose children did not eat breakfast at al (OR = 3.54), ate 1~2 times (OR = 5.50) or ate 3~4 times (OR = 3.80) on weekdays than those whose children ate breakfast every weekday were more likely to have needs for breakfast service at child care centers than housewives. In conclusion, Breakfast Skippers tended to have poorer dietary habits than Breakfast Eaters and Full-time working mothers had higher needs for breakfast service at child care centers. This study results suggest that child care centers consider serving breakfast to children as the number of working mothers increases.

Breakfast Consumption Pattern, Diet Quality and Health Outcomes in Adults from 2001 National Health and Nutrition Survey

This study was conducted to investigate breakfast consumption pattern in relation to diet quality and health outcomes of Korean adults. Data are from 2001 National Health and Nutrition Survey. Dietary information of 3406 adults aged 30~49 years and their socio-demographic characteristics, blood lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements were analyzed. According to the breakfast consumption of the subjects, they were classified to breakfast skippers and eaters and the eaters' breakfast staple types were defined as RICE, BREAD, NOODLES, MIXED (mixed types including several grain-based dishes), and OTHERS. The proportions of breakfast consumption patterns were 18.4% for skippers, 71.1% for RICE, 2.6% for BREAD, 1.6% for NOODLES, 4.0% for MIXED, and 2.4% for OTHERS. Breakfast skippers had lower daily nutrients intake than breakfast eaters but their health outcomes did not differ from those of eaters. Instead, men with BREAD pattern had higher blood cholesterol and women in NOODLE pattern had higher blood glucose and lower HDL cholesterol. The BREAD pattern breakfast had higher energy contribution from fat and lower nutrient densities and the subjects in BREAD pattern had higher level of household income. Men's BREAD pattern breakfast consisted more animal products than that of women. There was high probability of undernutrition among women in NOODLE pattern and their mean household income was the lowest. From these results, in Korea, breakfast staple types have different food patterns and there was need for developing healthy food patterns appropriate to each staple type. The breakfast consumption pattern had influences on nutrient adequacy of the diet and health outcomes and seemed to represent socio-economic status. These could be used in doing nutrition education in community.

Factors Associated with Breakfast Skipping in Elementary School Children in Korea / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The objective of this study was to examine relationships between breakfast skipping and ecological factors related to eating practice. Participants were 537 children (male: 274, female: 263) from two elementary schools in Kyunggido (School A) and Seoul (School B). Analysis included cross-tabulation of demographics, factors related to eating practice and weight status, frequency of breakfast skipping and types of breakfast and the number of foods at breakfast by schools. Logistic regression were conducted to identify the factors associated with breakfast skipping. Children in school B showed higher socioeconomic status by living environment and the type of fathers' job than those in school A. Eighty six percent of children in school B and 75% in school A ate breakfast 5 times and more per week. School and father's occupation differences correlated with the frequency of breakfast, but not mother's employ status was not. After controlling school, type of father's job, mother's employ status, eating breakfast 5 times and more was associated with eating with other family members, feeling hungry before breakfast, normal weight status, eating Korean traditional meal type and number of food eaten at breakfast. The results stress the need for intervention programs aimed at decreased skipping breakfast among elementary school children. While programs need to reach all children skipping breakfast, approaches need to be suitable to in particular those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.