Impact of breakfast skipping on the health status of the population.

BACKGROUND

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and its prevalence continues to increase at a rapid rate in various populations and across all age-group. The effect of meal skipping, both behaviorally and physiologically, may have an impact on the outcome of weight-loss efforts.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of breakfast skipping and obesity in subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the patients visited to a metabolic clinic of the city was done.

RESULTS

One hundred and eighty-six eligible subjects were included for the study. A questionnaire was used for data collection which included information regarding dietary factors and exercise schedule/physical activity. A 24-hour dietary recall method was used to assess the amount of food consumed. Anthropometric measurements were taken.

CONCLUSION

The higher prevalence of overweight and obesity in the present study could be because of imbalance in the diet and faulty food habits prevalent in the region.