Association between Breakfast Frequency and Metabolic Syndrome among young adults in South Korea

Abstract

Skipping breakfast is highly prevalent but it is not clear whether breakfast frequency is associated with metabolic syndrome in young adults. We aimed to assess the association between breakfast frequency and metabolic syndrome in Korean young adults. This cross-sectional study was based on health check-up data of university students aged 18-39 years between 2016 and 2018. Participants were stratified into three groups based on breakfast frequency (non-skipper, skipper for 1-3 days per week, and skipper for 4-7 days per week). Meal patterns were classified into healthy, fair, and unhealthy patterns by combination of breakfast frequency, binge eating frequency, and meal regularity. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of metabolic syndrome. Of the total 12,302 participants, 56.8% skipped breakfast for 3 days or more per week. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher among participants skipping breakfast for 3 days or more per week than non-skipper (3.1% vs. 1.7%). In the age- and sex-adjusted model, individuals skipping breakfast for 4-7 days per week had a higher OR of metabolic syndrome (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.21-2.49) compared to non-skipper. Although this association became insignificant (OR 1.49, 95% CI 0.99–2.23) after multivariable adjustment, trends of positive association between frequency of breakfast skipping and metabolic syndrome was significant (P for trend = 0.038). Among components of metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure was significantly associated with frequent breakfast skipping (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.09-1.65). Binge eating and having irregular meals was not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome. Individuals with unhealthy meal patterns had a higher OR of metabolic syndrome compared to those with healthy meal patterns (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.02-3.19). Frequent skipping breakfast was associated with higher odds of metabolic syndrome in young adults. Unhealthy meal patterns were significantly associated with higher odds of metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001). Further longitudinal studies in the long term are needed to understand the association of meal patterns with metabolic syndrome.