Is lack of breakfast contributing to nutrient deficits and poor nutritional indicators among adolescent girls

Background:Breakfast is considered the first and most important meal of the day. Missing the first meal may result in significant nutritional deficits, if not compensated in subsequent meals.Aim:To describe the nutrient intake through breakfast and to study its association with nutritional indicators among adolescent girls.Methods:A cross-sectional study among adolescent girls (n = 565) 16–18 years was carried out in urban slums of Pune, Maharashtra, India. Haemoglobin was assessed by cyanmethemoglobin method. Nutritional status was assessed through anthropometry and three 24-hours diet recall. Z scores, independent sample test, and linear logistic regression were used to assess undernutrition, to compare means of nutrient intake and to associate nutrient intake with nutritional status, respectively.Results:Almost 50% did not consume solid food for breakfast and 99% of the participants consumed inadequate breakfast (<610 kcal). Two types of breakfast emerged: I (bakery products + beverage) and II (traditi...