Breakfast Skipping and Nutritional Status Among University Students

Abstract

Background: Breakfast skipping is increasingly common among university students and has been associated with adverse dietary behaviours and metabolic risks, yet its relationship with nutritional status in this population remains insufficiently understood. Objective: To examine the association between breakfast-skipping behaviours and nutritional status among university students, with emphasis on weight-related outcomes and behavioural correlates. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 428 undergraduate students aged 18–25 years. Participants were selected through stratified sampling, completed a structured questionnaire on dietary and lifestyle behaviours, and underwent standardized anthropometric measurements. Breakfast skipping was defined as omitting breakfast on three or more days per week. Descriptive statistics, group comparisons, and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess associations between breakfast habits and overweight/obesity while adjusting for confounders. Results: Breakfast skipping was reported by 41.1% of students. Skippers exhibited higher mean BMI (24.1 ± 3.9 vs. 22.6 ± 3.4 kg/m²; p < 0.001), greater prevalence of overweight/obesity (36.4% vs. 21.8%; p = 0.001), lower meal frequency (2.4 ± 0.6 vs. 3.1 ± 0.7 meals/day; p < 0.001), and higher snack intake (59.1% vs. 37.3%; p < 0.001). Breakfast skipping independently increased the odds of overweight/obesity (AOR 1.89; 95% CI 1.28–2.80). Conclusion: Breakfast skipping is strongly associated with poorer nutritional status and adverse behavioural patterns among university students, highlighting the need for targeted health-promotion strategies in this high-risk group.