Influence of breakfast skipping and sleep pattern on BMI among primary school Children as a mediated by dietary patterns : Basis for a nutrition promotion program

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern that is influenced by lifestyle factors such as breaking skipping, dietary patterns, sleep pattern , and others. In Malaysia, one in every three children is overweight or obese. Understanding the influence of skipping breakfast and sleep patterns among children as mediated by dietary pattern is essential to identify the problems ad to plan for a program that encourages healthy behaviors among children and to combat childhood obesity. This study involved 7 public schools with 247 primary schools children. These schools were randomly selected by drawing lots from all schools while the respondents were identified through convenience sampling. Data on breakfast skipping dietary pattern , and sleep pattern were collected using a self-constructed questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Correlation analysis, and multiple regression were employed to determine predictors of body mass index (BMI) and their association. Most respondents were classified as irregular breakfast skippers and reported fair sleep pattern and dietary pattern, showing irregular breakfast habits, inconsistent sleep schedules, and irregular eating habits. Comparison of BMI by , sex , and ethnicity revealed no significant differences. Regression analysis indicated that breakfast skipping and sleep pattern were not significant predictors of BMI , while dietary patterns significantly predicted BMI. Correlation analysis a statistically significant , weak positive correlation between sleep pattern and dietary pattern, and significant negative association between dietary patterns and , indicating that better sleep patterns leads to healthier dietary pattern and healthier dietary patterns were linked to lower BMI. A nutrition promotion program focusing on improving children;'s dietary patterns and reinforcing sleep pattern is recommended. Further studies that iclude additional lifestyle and psychosocial variable a more comprehensive understanding of BMI determinants in children.