Daily meal frequency and associated variables in children and adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the frequency distribution of daily meals and its relation to demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, anthropometric and biochemical factors in children and adolescents. Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study with a representative sample of 708 school children aged 7–14 years. Data on personal information, socioeconomic status, physical activity and number of meals were obtained through semi‐structured questionnaire and consumption by 24‐h recall and food record. Weight and height measurements were also performed to calculate the body mass index. Finally, blood samples were collected for analysis of total cholesterol, high‐ and low density lipoprotein, triglyceride, and glucose levels. Descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney test, and Poisson regression were used in statistical analysis. Results: Meal frequency 2 (PR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.11–2.11; p = 0.010). Even in the age group of 10–14 years, <4 meals was related to higher prevalence of body mass index (PR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.02–1.74; p = 0.032) and low‐density lipoprotein (PR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.03–1.87; p = 0.030) higher after adjustments. Conclusion: Lower frequency of meals was related to lower income in children and adolescents, larger number of sons in the family, and increased values of body mass index and low‐density lipoprotein.

Keywords

• Meal frequency
• Cardiovascular risk factors
• Children and adolescents