Relationships between physical activity, obesity and meal frequency in adolescents

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Mota, J. (Author) FADEUP; Fidalgo, F. (Author) Other; Silva, R. (Author) Other; Ribeiro, J. C. (Author) FADEUP; Santos, R. (Author) Other; Carvalho, J. (Author) FADEUP; Santos, M. P. (Author) FADEUP

Journal

Title: Annals of Human Biology

Vol. 35 No. 1

Pages: 1-10

ISSN: 0301-4460

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 85 Citations

Scopus - 91 Citations

Pubmed / Medline

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-2H4

DOI: 10.1080/03014460701779617

Abstract (EN): Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the associations and impact of increased meal frequency, physical activity and 'skipping' breakfast on obesity levels in a sample of urban adolescents, aged 13-17 years old, from Porto, Portugal. Methods: Overweight and obesity were defined according to age- and sex-specific BMI cut-points. Daily meal frequency was assessed by questionnaire. Self-reported physical activity was recalled. Results: The proportion of overweight/obese girls (p <= 0.05) and boys (p <= 0.001) that consumed fewer than three meals was significantly higher than those reported from normal-weight counterparts. While no statistically significant differences were reported in girls, obese boys skipped breakfast significantly more (13% vs 5.6%; p <= 0.05) than normal-weight counterparts did. Normal-weight boys but not girls were significantly more active (p <= 0.01) than obese peers. An additional meal in boys (OR: 2.75; p <= 0.05) and girls (OR: 1.97; p <= 0.05) reduced the risk of being overweight/obese. Regardless of gender, breakfast skipping is not seen as a predictor of being overweight/obese. However, boys (OR: 2.10; p < 0.003), but not girls, who were moderately active were more likely to be of normal weight. Conclusion: The data indicate that increased meal frequency may have a beneficial effect on a reduced BMI. Physical activity and breakfast skipping may be candidate targets for prevention programmes aimed at reducing overweight/obesity among adolescents.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10