Study of Not Eating Breakfast and Some Related Demographic Factors in 14-18 Years Old Adolescents of Sanandaj in 2013

Introduction and Breakfast is the most important meal that plays an important role in adolescents’ health. Eating breakfast caused to increasing the diet quality and preventing chronic diseases. This study examines not having breakfast and some related demographic factors in 14-18 years old adolescents of Sanandaj. In this study, 553, 14-18 years old students of Sanandaj’s high schools were selected randomly. Providing a checklist, demographic and anthropometric information of all participant were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.16 software, Chi-square test and t-test. 41 (7.5%) of teens didn’t have eat breakfast, and 59 (10.7%) had breakfast one or two days a week. Breakfast consumption was significantly higher in boys than girls (P < 0.001). The results showed that the level of parental education was correlated with eating breakfast by adolescents (P < 0.05). There was no significant relationship between body mass index in adolescents with eating breakfast (P = 0.16). Breakfast consumption declined with age in adolescents (P < 0.003). Breakfast consumption in adolescents is influenced by demographic factors. Parents’ high level of education, as well as higher employment levels influences the perseverance of having breakfast in adolescents during the week. Thus, parents play a decisive role in habits formation of eating breakfast in their teens.