Breakfast Skipping in a Multi-Ethnic Population of Middle-Aged Men and Relationship With Sociodemographic Variables and Weight Status

Abstract

BackgroundBreakfast eating is regarded to be necessary for maintaining a healthy body weight. On the other hand, breakfast skipping has been linked with obesity incidence. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of breakfast skipping among a multi-ethnic group of middle-aged men living in Saudi Arabia and the association between breakfast skipping and sociodemographic variables and weight status.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 1,800 middle-aged men aged 36–59 years. Participants' sociodemographic information and frequency of breakfast eating were obtained through personal interviews. The body mass index was determined after measuring body weight and height using standardized methods.ResultsThe prevalence of breakfast skipping was 42.1% of the study participants. Nationality was a predictor of breakfast skipping. Bangladeshi participants (N = 100) have the lowest rate of breakfast skipping (9.0%), whilst Saudi participants (N = 161) have the highest rate (73.3%). Weight status was another predictor of breakfast skipping as breakfast skippers had a significantly higher average body mass index (27.1 ± 3.8) than breakfast consumers (26.2 ± 3.5). Overweight/obese participants have a significantly higher breakfast skipping rate (44.9%) than participants with underweight/normal weight (36.6%).ConclusionThe rate of breakfast skipping is relatively high among middle-aged men living in Saudi Arabia. The data support a link between breakfast skipping and sociodemographic variables and weight status.

Differences in Overweight and Obesity Prevalence in Middle-Aged Men from Twelve Middle Eastern and Asian Countries Living in Saudi Arabia

“…One of these variables was the subjects’ nationality, which might be explained by cross-cultural differences in lifestyles behaviors such as eating habits and physical activity levels among participants from different countries. 25 , 26 Age was also identified in our study results to have a significant association with the risk of overweight and obesity among participants. In general, adults with aging tend to engage in less physical activities and adopt more sedentary lifestyles.…”

“…Certain lifestyle factors, such as typical dietary behaviors, cultural food consumption, and typical physical activity levels, could explain the differences. 25 , 26 For example, Saudi people consume a lot of processed and animal foods at the expense of fruits and vegetables. 27 On the other hand, Indians consume excessive cereals and insufficient animal foods.…”

Association between the Habitual Snack Consumption at School and the Prevalence of Overweight in Adolescent Students in Tasikmalaya, Indonesia

“…Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that stimulates hunger and has an appetitestimulating effect, enhancing human food response [32]. Skipping breakfast is associated with changes in appetite and decreased satiety, leading to subsequent overeating [33]. Moreover, skipping breakfast is suggested to be associated with consuming food of low nutritional value accompanied by high-energy density [34].…”

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption in a Multi-Ethnic Population of Young Men and Association with Sociodemographic Characteristics and Obesity

“…Current data are from a cross-sectional research project called ROAD-KSA which was carried out from February to June 2019 and targeted young and middle-aged men [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Study subjects were randomly selected from public sites in Riyadh using a stratified clustered sampling method.…”