Author/Authors :
Ansari, Hossein Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan , Kelishadi, Roya Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , Qorbani, Mostafa Department of Community Medicine - Alborz University of Medical Science, Karaj , Mansourian, Morteza Department of Health Education and Promotion - School of Health - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Ahadi, Zeinab Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Motlagh, Mohammad Esmaeil Department of Pediatrics - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Ardalan, Gelayol Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , Safiri, Saeid Department of Public Health - School of Nursing and Midwifery - Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh , Asayesh, Hamid Department of Medical Emergencies - Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom , Mohammadi, Rasool Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Heshmat, Ramin Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Abstract :
Background: This study aimed to assess the relationship between meal frequency with mental distress and violent behavior among a nationally representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: The participants of this national study were 14,880 Iranian students with 6 to 18 years of age. They were selected from urban and rural regions of Iran by multi-stage cluster sampling method. The data were obtained about demographic information, mental distress, violent behaviors and meal frequency by the questionnaire of the World Health Organization-Global School-based Student Health Survey (WHO-GSHS). Results: The response rate was 90.6%. The participants who were categorized as the group eating 3 meals per week significantly experienced less mental distress than those who were categorized as consuming 2 meals and one/no meal per week (P-value < 0.05). The min rate of violent behaviors was observed among participants who were classified as consuming 3 meals group and the max rate in one/no meal group. Participants who were categorized as consuming one/ no meal and 2 meals per week had higher risk of mental distress and violent behaviors compared with those whom consumed 3 meals per week. Conclusions: Meal skipping was significantly associated with mental problems and violent behaviors among Iranian children and adolescents and this association was independent of known confounders.
Keywords :
Behavior problems , Children , Mental disorders , Meal frequency , Meal skipping
