Breakfast frequency inversely associated with BMI and body fatness in Hong Kong Chinese children aged 9-18 years

Abstract

The present study assessed the relationship between breakfast frequency and measures of obesity in Hong Kong Chinese children aged 9-18 years. A total of 11 570 children (50% boys) underwent anthropometric measurements and completed a simple self-administered dietary behaviour questionnaire. Their parents completed a questionnaire providing demographic information. Breakfast frequency was assessed by a single question, 'How many days over the past week did you have breakfast?' Children were categorised into three groups: skippers (ate breakfast 0-2 times/week); semi-skippers (ate breakfast 3-4 times/week); non-skippers (ate breakfast 5-7 times/week), to assess all associated characteristics. Of the 3644 primary and 7926 secondary school students, 8% (8•7% of boys and 6•9% of girls) and 14% (14% of boys and 15% of girls), respectively, were breakfast skippers. The prevalence of obesity among breakfast skippers, semi-skippers and non-skippers was, respectively, 9•8, 10•6 and 3•8% (P< 0•001) for primary school students and 3•9, 3•1 and 2•4% (P< 0•001) for secondary school students. The 12% of Hong Kong children aged 9-18 years who skipped breakfast had higher BMI, BMI z-scores and percentage of body fat (PBF) than their counterparts. The dose effects of breakfast frequency (unstandardised regression coefficient, P< 0•001) on BMI and PBF were, respectively,-0•125 kg/m 2 and-0•219% for boys and-0•165 kg/m 2 and-0•353% for girls, adjusting for physical activity per additional breakfast meal per week. Further study is recommended to elucidate whether regular breakfast consumption may have a role in the prevention of childhood obesity. © 2011 The Authors.