BREAKFAST SKIPPING IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED RISK OF PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS PROFILE SCORES AMONG A GENERAL POPULATION OF IRANIAN ADULTS

Background and Aim: Breakfast skipping is associated with various physical disorders. However, few studies have assessed the association between breakfast skipping and psychological problems. To investigate the association between breakfasts skipping and mental disorders risk. Methods: A total of 3180 Iranian general adults were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Psychological problems profile’ score was defined based on depression, anxiety and psychological distress. The higher scores indicate more severity of mental problem. The frequency of breakfast eating in a week was assessed by asking On how many days in a week do you usually eat breakfast . Participants were categorized into three groups as seldom: ≤2 d/wk, sometimes: 3-5 d/wk, and always: ≥5 d/wk.Results: Individuals who ate breakfast seldom had the highest odds for having worse psychological problems profile (OR=3.35; 95% CI: 2.11, 5.32; P<0.0001). In stratified model by sex, skipping breakfast was associated with higher odds of having worse psychological problems profile in men (OR=5.00; 95% CI: 2.29, 10.90; P<0.0001) and women (OR=2.75; 95% CI: 1.55, 4.89; P<0.0001). Conclusion: Breakfast skipping is associated with higher odds of having worse psychological problems profile. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the true link between breakfast skipping and psychological problems.

Keywords:

Breakfast skipping , depression , anxiety , distress , psychological problems