Is family meal frequency associated with obesity in children and adolescents? A cross‐sectional study including 155 451 participants from 43 countries
Authors' conclusion
A higher frequency of family meals is associated with lower odds of having excess weight and obesity in children and adolescents.
Study context
- Population
- Children and adolescents aged 10–17 years from 43 countries, Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) data; mean age 13.6 years (SD 1.6), 51.4% girls
- Participants
- 155,451 children
- Exposure
- Family meal frequency
- Outcome
- Excess weight (body mass index (BMI) z-score +1.31 SD boys, +1.24 SD girls) and obesity (+2.29 SD boys, +2.19 SD girls), International Obesity Task Force criteria, self-reported weight and height
Methodological detailsnationally representative samples, 43 countries
- Nationally representative samples
- 43 countries
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Predicted probability of excess weight and obesity
| Group | Excess weight | Obesity |
|---|---|---|
| Every day | 34.4% (95% CI 31.4%-37.5%) | 10.8% (95% CI 9.0%-13.0%) |
Every day
Excess weight34.4% (95% CI 31.4%-37.5%)
Obesity10.8% (95% CI 9.0%-13.0%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Is family meal frequency associated with obesity in children and adolescents? A cross‐sectional study including 155 451 participants from 43 countries. Pediatr Obes. Published 26 May 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →