Breakfast habits and factors influencing food choices at breakfast in relation to socio-demographic and family factors among European adolescents : The HELENA Study

• The aim was to investigate factors associated with breakfast habits and influences on food choices at breakfast, within the framework of the EU-funded HELENA Study in 3528 adolescents from ten cities across Europe. The statement “I often skip breakfast” and personal and socio-environmental factors hypothesized to be related to food choice at breakfast were dichotomized. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between behavioral (skipping versus consume breakfast) and individual, personal and socio-environmental factors. Half of the adolescents (fewer girls) indicated being regular breakfast consumers. Mothers’ education and family structure were associated with breakfast consumption. Adolescents with peers who gave little or no encouragement, and boys whose parents gave encouragement, were more likely to be regular breakfast consumers. Personal factors influenced the girls more than the boys in their choice of food for breakfast and socio-environmental factors influenced younger adolescents more than older adolescents. In conclusion, a broad range of (behavioral, individual, personal and socio-environmental) factors influence breakfast habits and food choices at breakfast among European adolescents. Breakfast habits were inappreciably influenced by socio-demographical factors. These factors need to be considered in discussions surrounding the development of nutritional intervention programs intended for adolescents.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Lantbruksvetenskap, skogsbruk och fiske -- Livsmedelsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries -- Food Science (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

socioeconomic factors; parents; siblings; sex; diet surveys; epidemiology; public health

Public health science

Folkhälsovetenskap

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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