Features of Pupils in Each Dinner Habit: Non-late Regular, Regular but Late, and Irregular

BACKGROUND: Both late and irregular caloric intakes are becoming common, especially among young adults. This study aimed to investigate features of pupils in Japan following different dinner habits. METHODS: Dinner habits were categorized into 3 types: non-late regular, regular but late, and irregular. Questionnaires of 2722 pupils in grades 5 to 12 were included, and a multiple comparison test was conducted to investigate the differences of lifestyle factors among the 3 dinner-pattern categories. RESULTS: Only half of grade 5 and 6 pupils had non-late regular dinners. The rate of pupils who had regular but late dinners increased from elementary school (11.8%) to senior high school (41.1%) via junior high school (15.1%). More than 30% of pupils took dinner irregularly. The pupils taking non-late regular dinner showed the earliest bedtime and the longest sleep duration among the 3 dinner-time habit categories and also revealed the best academic performance and sleepiness scores. The pupils taking regular but late dinner showed the highest grade, the latest bedtime, the shortest sleep duration, the longest school-day screen time scores, and the worst sleepiness and self-reported academic performance scores. Irregular dinner-takers showed the longest after-school activities. CONCLUSIONS: Further attention should be given to both late and irregular dinner habits of pupils in terms of supporting their health. Further studies are needed to recommend suitable dinner timings for pupils by assessing optimal levels of variable lifestyle factors, including after-school activity.