Study of Not Eating Breakfast and Some Related Demographic Factors in 14-18 Years Old Adolescents of Sanandaj in 2013

Introduction and Aims
Breakfast is the most important meal that plays an important role in adolescents’ health. Eating breakfast caused to increasing
the diet quality and preventing chronic diseases. This study examines not having breakfast and some related demographic
factors in 14-18 years old adolescents of Sanandaj.
Materials and Methods
In this study, 553, 14-18 years old students of Sanandaj’s high schools were selected randomly. Providing a checklist, demographic
and anthropometric information of all participant were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.16 software,
Chi-square test and t-test.
Results
41 (7.5%) of teens didn’t have eat breakfast, and 59 (10.7%) had breakfast one or two days a week. Breakfast consumption
was significantly higher in boys than girls (P < 0.001). The results showed that the level of parental education was correlated
with eating breakfast by adolescents (P < 0.05). There was no significant relationship between body mass index in adolescents
with eating breakfast (P = 0.16). Breakfast consumption declined with age in adolescents (P < 0.003).
Conclusion
Breakfast consumption in adolescents is influenced by demographic factors. Parents’ high level of education, as well as higher
employment levels influences the perseverance of having breakfast in adolescents during the week. Thus, parents play a
decisive role in habits formation of eating breakfast in their teens.

* Corresponding Author: Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Department of Nutrition, Children Growth and Development Research Center.
Email: Mjavadi@qums.ac.ir