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.