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Examining the correlates of meal skipping in Australian young adults.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Meal skipping is associated with diet-related chronic disease risk and is highly prevalent in young adults. Despite this, the correlates of meal skipping in this population group are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of meal skipping in young adults. METHODS:Young adults aged 18-30?years (n =?578) (24% male, 76% female) used 'FoodNow', a purpose designed real-time smartphone application to record food and beverage consumption over four non-consecutive days. The day following each reporting day, participants were asked about their previous day's eating occasions; if any eating occasions were not reported or if any were skipped. These data were used to categorise participants into specific meal skippers (breakfast, lunch and/or dinner skipper). Participants also completed an online questionnaire, which contained measures of correlates from the social-ecological framework across the individual, social-environmental and physical-environment domains. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between specific meal skipping behaviours and measured correlates. RESULTS:Individual domain correlates (education status, smoking status and time scarcity) were associated with varying meal skipping behaviours, while no correlates from the social-environmental or physical-environmental domains of the social-ecological framework were associated with any meal skipping behaviours. Participants with a university education were less likely to be a meal skipper (any meal) (OR?=?0.46; 95%CI: 0.22, 0.95; p =?0.035), while those who previously or currently smoked cigarettes were more likely to be breakfast skippers (OR?=?1.10; 95%CI: 1.15, 3.86; p =?0.016) compared to those who had never smoked before. Those who are time scarce were more likely to be either breakfast (OR?=?1.12; 95%CI: 1.00, 1.26; p =?0.036) or lunch skippers (OR?=?1.11; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.23; p =?0.033). No variables were significantly associated with dinner skipping. CONCLUSIONS:The findings suggest that the correlates of meal skipping vary according to the specific meal skipped. University education status needs to be considered when designing interventions aimed at the reduction of meal skipping among young adults, while correlates such as time management and smoking status may offer potential behaviour change targets within these interventions.

SUBMITTER: Pendergast FJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6448264 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Examining the correlates of meal skipping in Australian young adults.

Pendergast Felicity J FJ Livingstone Katherine M KM Worsley Anthony A McNaughton Sarah A SA

Nutrition journal 20190403 1

<h4>Background</h4>Meal skipping is associated with diet-related chronic disease risk and is highly prevalent in young adults. Despite this, the correlates of meal skipping in this population group are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of meal skipping in young adults.<h4>Methods</h4>Young adults aged 18-30 years (n = 578) (24% male, 76% female) used 'FoodNow', a purpose designed real-time smartphone application to record food and beverage con ...[more]

PMID: 30944008

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Project description:BackgroundRegular meal consumption is considered an important aspect of a healthy diet. While ample evidence shows social inequalities in breakfast skipping among adolescents, little is known about social inequalities in breakfast skipping and skipping of other meals among young school-aged children. Such information is crucial in targeting interventions aimed to promote a healthy diet in children.MethodsWe examined data from 4704 ethnically diverse children participating in the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Information on family socioeconomic position (SEP), ethnic background, and meal skipping behaviors was assessed by parent-reported questionnaire when the child was 6 years old. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations of family SEP (educational level, household income, employment status, family composition) and ethnic background with meal skipping behaviors, using high SEP children and native Dutch children as reference groups.ResultsMeal skipping prevalence ranged from 3% (dinner) to 11% (lunch). The prevalence of meal skipping was higher among low SEP children and ethnic minority children. Maternal educational level was independently associated with breakfast skipping ([low maternal educational level] OR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.24,3.94). Paternal educational level was independently associated with lunch skipping ([low paternal educational level] OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.06,2.20) and dinner skipping ([mid-high paternal educational level] OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.20,0.76). Household income was independently associated with breakfast skipping ([low income] OR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.40,4.22) and dinner skipping ([low income] OR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.22,4.91). In general, ethnic minority children were more likely to skip breakfast, lunch, and dinner compared with native Dutch children. Adjustment for family SEP attenuated the associations of ethnic minority background with meal skipping behaviors considerably.ConclusionLow SEP children and ethnic minority children are at an increased risk of breakfast, lunch, and dinner skipping compared with high SEP children and native Dutch children, respectively. Given these inequalities, interventions aimed to promote regular meal consumption, breakfast consumption in particular, should target children from low socioeconomic groups and ethnic minority children. More qualitative research to investigate the pathways underlying social inequalities in children's meal skipping behaviors is warranted.

Project description:BackgroundThe socioecological model proposes a wide array of factors that influence behaviours. There is a need to understand salient correlates of these activity behaviours in a specific population. However, few studies identified socio-demographic, behavioural, physical, and psychological correlates of objectively-assessed physical activity and sedentary time in young adults.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional analysis of participants in the Raine Study (a pregnancy cohort started in 1989). Australian young adults (mean 22.1 years ± SD 0.6) wore Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers on the hip 24 h/day for seven days to assess moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time (n?=?256 women, n?=?219 men). Potential correlates were assessed via clinical assessment and questionnaire and included socio-demographic variables (ethnicity, relationship status, work/study status, education, mothers education), health behaviours (food intake, alcohol consumption, smoking status, sleep quality), and physical and psychological health aspects (anthropometrics, diagnosed disorders, mental health, cognitive performance). Backwards elimination (p?<?0.2 for retention) with mixed model regressions were used and the gender-stratified analyses were adjusted for demographic variables, waking wear time and number of valid days.ResultsIncreased time spent in MVPA was associated with: being single (IRR 1.44 vs in a relationship living together, 95%CI: 1.17, 1.77, p?=?.001) in women; and better sleep quality in men (lower scores better IRR 0.97, 95%CI: 0.93, 1.00). Less time spent sedentary was associated with: lower mother's education (-?32.1 min/day, 95%CI -52.9, 11.3, p?=?0.002 for having mother with no university degree vs at least a baccalaureate degree) and smoking (-?44.3 min/day, 95%CI: - 72.8, -?15.9, p?=?.0002) for women; lower education status (-?32.1 min/day, 95%CI: -59.5, -?4.8, p?=?0.021 for having no university degree vs at least a baccalaureate degree) and lower depression scores in men (-?2.0, 95%CI: - 3.5, -?0.4, p?=?0.014); more alcoholic drinks per week for women (-?1.9 min/day, 95%CI: -3.1, -?0.6, p?=?0.003) and men (-?1.0, 95%CI: -1.8, -?0.3, p?=?0.007).ConclusionsLess desirable correlates were associated with positive levels of activity in young Australian adult women and men. Interventions to increase MVPA and decrease sedentary activity in young adults need to specifically consider the life stage of young adults.

Project description:Abstract Objectives To examine the association between meal habits (i.e., eating breakfast every day, usually ≥80% fullness at breakfast, and not eating snacks at night), body composition and the subsequent changes in mood status in young adults. Methods This is a longitudinal follow-up study based on a randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03828812). Young adults were recruited based in a university campus in Taipei City, Taiwan. In total, 125 participants were recruited and 103 completed the follow-ups. Measured body composition (TANITA BC-418) and moods (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, DASS) were assessed at baseline, the third month and 15th month from baseline. Baseline meal habits were based on the participants’ recall of their diets in the month before interview. We used mixed-effect model to test the association of baseline total body fat percentage and trunk body fat percentage and moods during follow-ups, adjusting for age, sex, baseline body mass index (BMI), food security status. Results After controlling for sex, age, BMI, and food security status at baseline, having breakfast every day at baseline was associated with 2.04 (se = 0.78, P = 0.0098) lower anxiety score and with 2.58 (se = 1.26, P = 0.0409) lower stress score at baseline. Meal habits were not associated with the subsequent changes in mood status. As for body composition, one % of trunk body fat replacing one % of non-trunk body fat at baseline was associated with 1.19 (se = 0.57, P = 0.0381) higher depression score, 1.02 (se = 0.47, P = 0.0327) higher anxiety score, 2.06 (se = 0.76, P = 0.0075) higher anxiety score at baseline. One % of non-trunk body fat percentage was associated with 2.60 (se = 1.02, P = 0.0116) lower anxiety score, as trunk body fat % is controlled. Baseline body fat composition parameters were not associated with the temporal changes in mood scores. The significance patterns were similar after adjusting for baseline physical activity level, assessed by International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Conclusions Breakfast habits and body composition, especially trunk body fat, was associated with university-based young adults’ emotional health status. Funding Sources Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan.

Project description:ImportanceThere are limited data among young adults on sunscreen use during childhood and adulthood and on the association of sunscreen use with melanoma risk.ObjectiveTo assess correlates of early-life sunscreen use and the association between sunscreen use and risk of cutaneous melanoma before age 40 years.Design, setting, and participantsThis population-based, case-control family study analyzed Australian Melanoma Family Study data for persons with questionnaire data on sunscreen use collected by interview from 2001 to 2005 across 3 states in Australia, representing two-thirds of the country's population. Case participants (aged 18-39 years) had confirmed first primary melanoma. Siblings of case participants were included, and case participants without a sibling control were excluded. Unrelated controls (aged 18-44 years) were recruited from the electoral roll or were a spouse, partner, or friend nominated by case participants. Data analyses were conducted from October 2017 to February 2018.ExposuresSelf- and parent-reported sunscreen use, sun exposure, and other candidate risk factors during childhood and adulthood.Main outcomes and measuresLogistic regression analyses adjusted for potential confounders were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for melanoma and for correlates of sunscreen use.ResultsParticipation was 629 of 830 contactable cases (76%) (629 of 1197 overall [53%]), 240 of 570 contactable controls (42%) from the electoral roll (240 of 1068 overall [23%]), and 295 of 371 nominated spouse or friend controls (80%); analysis incuded 603 cases and 1088 controls. The median (interquartile range) age was 32 (28-36) years for 603 cases, 35 (30-38) years for 478 unrelated controls, and 34 (29-38) years for 610 sibling controls. There were more women than men (range, 57%-62%) in all groups, approximately 40% (range, 39%-43%) of participants had a university education, and most participants (range, 58%-73%) had British/northern European ethnicity. Risk of melanoma was less with higher use of sunscreen in childhood (OR for highest vs lowest tertiles, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.42-0.87; P?=?.02 for trend) and across the lifetime (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45-0.93; P?=?.07 for trend). Subgroup analyses suggested that the protective association of sunscreen with melanoma was stronger for people reporting blistering sunburn, receiving a diagnosis of melanoma at a younger age, or having some or many nevi. Total lifetime sun exposure was unrelated to melanoma risk (OR for highest vs lowest tertile, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.66-1.43; P?=?.94 for trend). By contrast, total sun exposure inversely weighted by sunscreen use (as a measure of sun exposure unprotected by sunscreen) was significantly associated with melanoma risk (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.22-2.65; P?=?.007 for trend) and appeared stronger for people having lighter pigmentation or some or many nevi or using sunscreen to stay longer in the sun. Regular users of sunscreen were more likely to be female, younger, and of British or northern European ancestry and to have higher educational levels, lighter skin pigmentation, and a stronger history of blistering sunburn.Conclusions and relevanceOur findings provided evidence that regular sunscreen use is significantly associated with reduced risk of cutaneous melanoma among young adults and identified several characteristics associated with less sunscreen use.

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Examining the correlates of meal skipping in Australian young adults.

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Examining the correlates of meal skipping in Australian young adults.

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