According to a recent study, skipping breakfast was associated with the lowest life satisfaction scores among children and adolescents in 42 countries.
The cross-sectional study, published in the Nutrition Journal, included 154,151 participants aged 10–17 years from 42 countries, using data from the 2017/2018 Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study.
The evaluation of breakfast consumption involved asking participants, "How often do you typically have breakfast (more than a glass of milk or fruit juice)?" Life satisfaction was measured using a ladder scale from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater life satisfaction.
The researchers used generalized linear mixed models to investigate the relationship between breakfast frequency and life satisfaction, with country as a random effect. They also calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient to determine variability between individuals across countries.
The study revealed a "nearly linear" relationship between breakfast frequency and life satisfaction. Participants who skipped breakfast exhibited the lowest life satisfaction scores (mean [M] = 5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.5 to 5.8), while those who consumed breakfast daily had the highest scores (M = 6.5, 95% CI 6.3 to 6.6). Among the countries studied, participants from Portugal who had breakfast every day reported the highest life satisfaction (M = 7.7, 95% CI 6.9 to 8.5), whereas those from Romania who skipped breakfast had the lowest scores (M = 3.5, 95% CI 2.6 to 4.4).
The researchers adjusted for various covariates, including sex, age, socioeconomic status, dietary habits, physical activity, and BMI. They also conducted a sensitivity analysis using multiple imputation techniques to address potential bias from incomplete data.
The authors suggested several potential explanations for the findings, including the role of essential nutrients from breakfast, the establishment of healthy habits and routines, and the relationship between breakfast consumption and academic performance.
Limitations of the study included its cross-sectional design, which limits causal inferences, the use of self-reported information, and the lack of in-depth data on breakfast quality. The researchers recommended future prospective observational studies to explore whether the frequency of breakfast consumption is genuinely associated with adolescent life satisfaction.
"Future studies on well-being should incorporate all major components, including both hedonic and eudaimonic aspects, rather than simplify it to a single item measuring life satisfaction, income, or happiness," the researchers stated. "Considering the potential health advantages associated with breakfast during this critical age phase, these findings underscore the importance of promoting breakfast consumption among children and adolescents."
The large sample size and consistency across different countries enhance the robustness of the findings, noted the researchers. Authors reported no conflicts of interest.
