Skipping meals raises obesity, cardiometabolic risks in children

SKIPPING main meals can lead to excess body fat and increased cardiometabolic risks in children.

The study by Aino-Maija Eloranta, MHSc published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, International Journal of Obesity and European Journal of Nutrition links higher sugary drink, red meat, and low-fat margarine consumption, and lower vegetable oil consumption to greater cardiometabolic risks, which can affect children as young as 6 to 8 years old.

Less than half of children studied ate all three main meals daily. Most derived energy and sucrose from snacks. Only a minority consumed vegetables, fruit, and berries, and about a quarter had sugary drinks daily. Children had more saturated fat, sucrose, and salt, but lower dietary fibre, vitamin D, and iron than recommended.

Uncontrolled eating behaviour such as eating fast and emotional overeating, and lower satiety responsiveness could also result in higher body adiposity.