Relationship between Breakfast Eating Habits, Food Environment and Health-Related Quality of Life among Elementary School Children

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between breakfast eating habits, food environment and health-related quality of life (QOL) among elementary school children. A self-report questionnaire about breakfast eating habits was conducted with 182 fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students in Fukuoka from October to November 2017. We investigated the frequency of breakfast, family meals for breakfast, number of breakfast dishes, and types of dishes (grain dishes, main fish and meat dishes, vegetable dishes, milk, and fruits) for children’s breakfast. The Japanese version of the Kid-KINDL^® questionnaire was used to estimate the QOL among elementary school children. A significant positive relationship was verified between the frequency of breakfast and the QOL scores (ρ=0.193, p=0.015). There was also a significant positive relationship between the QOL scores and number of dishes (ρ=0.219, p=0.006), milk intake (p=0.017), and fruit intake (p=0.014). In conclusion, a desirable eating habits and food environment for children’s breakfast may be associated with good QOL among children.