ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Daily breakfast consumption is recommended as part of a healthy lifestyle in children and adolescents. The present study aimed to report the frequency of breakfast consumption and explore the associations between breakfast consumption and diet quality in children with overweight/obesity.

Methods: In total, 1335 children/adolescents 2-18 years old were recruited in a weight-management out-patient clinic in the ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece. Participants’ body weight and height were recorded by trained researchers, using standard methods and equipment. Family socio-demographic data and data on children’s dietary habits (a validated food frequency questionnaire and the frequency of breakfast consumption) were collected via interviews with the parents. Diet quality was assessed using the Diet Quality Index (DQI).

Results: The highest percent of breakfast skipping was identified among children/adolescents 13–18 years old (43.3%, P=0.008) compared to other age groups (2-5 or 6-12 years old). Within this age group, girls were more likely to skip breakfast for at least 1 day per week (“Every day” consumers: Boys Vs Girls: 66.9% Vs 47.3%; P=0.002). In the total study sample, skipping breakfast was significantly associated with poorer diet quality (% percent of children/adolescents having “At least moderate diet quality”, i.e., DQI-score: 59.34-90.83, was 77.1% and 50.9% for “Everyday” consumers and “At most 5–6 days/ week” consumers, respectively; P<0.001). The results of the multivariable binary logistic regression showed that daily breakfast consumption compared to skipping breakfast for at least 1 day per week was associated with significantly higher odds of having at least moderate diet quality (Or= 3.25; 95% C.I.= 2.55 – 4.13).

Discussion: The findings of the present study showed that breakfast consumption may contribute to better diet quality in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity. Children/adolescents aged 13-18, especially girls, seem to be at higher risk for skipping breakfast. Future initiatives should focus on the promotion of healthy and balanced breakfast in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity.