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. 2023 Oct 26;41(3):179-187.
doi: 10.1159/000534082. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Breakfast Skipping and Determinant Factors among Moroccan School Adolescents (12-19 Years): The Case of Beni Mellal City

Kamal Kaoutar  1   2 , Ahmed Chetoui  1 , Kaltoum Boutahar  1 , Soufiane El Moussaoui  1 , Abdeslam El Kardoudi  1 , Mohamed Najimi  1 , Fatiha Chigr  1
Affiliations

Breakfast Skipping and Determinant Factors among Moroccan School Adolescents (12-19 Years): The Case of Beni Mellal City

Kamal Kaoutar et al. Port J Public Health. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Introduction: Breakfast skipping is an unhealthy eating behavior reportedly common among adolescents. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with breakfast skipping among schoolchildren aged 12-19 years in Beni Mellal city, Morocco, and to assist in the design of interventions to improve breakfast consumption habits of school-aged children in this region.

Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 550 children were included in the study. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with skipping breakfast consumption. The association between dependent and independent variables was assessed using an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval and p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Among 550 Moroccan adolescents evaluated, 25.6% reported not consuming breakfast every day. Breakfast eating was statistically associated with gender (OR = 7.13 [95% CI 1.32-3.84], p = 0.008); mother's low educational level (OR = 2.86 [95% CI 1.89-4.71], p = 0.091); nonworking mothers (OR = 13.71 [95% CI 1.16-5.29], p < 0.001); not eating between meals (OR = 15.49 [95% CI 2.15-5.49], p < 0.001); eating dinner regularly each day (OR = 17.79 [95% CI 2.81-8.01], p = 0.005); eating vegetables 1-3 times per week (OR = 10.21 [95% CI 1.44-4.67], p = 0.001); consuming milk and dairy product 1-3 times per week (OR = 13.88 [95% CI 1.59-5.56], p < 0.001); and never consuming sodas and soft drink in week (OR = 3.12 [95% CI 1.90-4.50], p = 0.003).

Conclusions: This study revealed that the prevalence of skipping breakfast consumption among school-aged children in Beni Mellal city was high. Thus, the findings suggest a community health education program, conducted by school nurses, nutritionists, and other health professionals, is needed.

Introdução: Não tomar o pequeno-almoço é um comportamento alimentar não saudável supostamente comum entre adolescentes. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a prevalência e os fatores associados com o não consumo do pequeno-almoço entre crianças em idade escolar dos 12 aos 19 anos na cidade de Beni Mellal, Marrocos, e contribuir para o desenho de intervenções para melhorar os hábitos de consumo do pequeno-almoço de crianças em idade escolar em esta região.

Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal de base escolar. Um total de 550 crianças foram incluídas no estudo. A análise de regressão logística multivariada foi usada para identificar os fatores associados à omissão do consumo do pequeno-almoço. A associação entre variáveis dependentes e independentes foi avaliada por meio de odds ratio com intervalo de confiança de 95% e valor de p < 0.05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo.

Resultados: Entre os 550 adolescentes marroquinos avaliados, 25.6% relataram não tomar o pequeno-almoço todos os dias. Tomar o pequeno-almoço foi estatisticamente associado ao sexo (Odds Ratio (OR) = 7.13 [IC 95% 1.32–3.84], p = 0.008); à baixa escolaridade da mãe (OR = 2.86 [IC 95% 1.89–4.71], p = 0.091); mães não trabalhadoras (OR = 13.71 [IC 95% 1.16–5.29], p < 0.001), não comer entre as refeições (OR = 15.49 [IC 95% 2.15–5.49], p < 0.001); jantar regularmente todos os dias (OR = 17.79 [IC 95% 2.81–8.01], p = 0.005); comer vegetais 1 a 3 vezes por semana (OR = 10.21 [IC 95% 1.44–4.67], p = 0.001); consumir leite e derivados de 1 a 3 vezes por semana (OR = 13.88 [IC 95% 1.59–5.56], p < 0.001) e nunca beber refrigerantes durante a semana (OR = 3.12 [IC 95% 1.90–4.50], p = 0.003).

Conclusões: Este estudo revelou que a prevalência da falta de consumo de pequeno-almoço entre crianças em idade escolar na cidade de Beni Mellal foi alta. Assim, os resultados sugerem que é necessário um programa de educação em saúde da comunidade, conduzido por nutricionistas e outros profissionais de saúde.

Keywords: Beni Mellal; Morocco; School-aged children; Skipping breakfast consumption.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Framework model for breakfast eating and determinant factors among Moroccan school adolescents (12–19 years): the case of Beni Mellal city.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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