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Changes in meal pattern among Norwegian children from 2001 to 2008
Nina Øverby1, Tonje H Stea, Frøydis N Vik
1Department of Public Health, Sport and Nutrition, Faculty of Health and Sport, University of Agder, PO Box 422, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway. nina.c.overby@uia.no
Public Health Nutrition
|January 19, 2011
Summary
Norwegian children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health
- Child Development
Background:
- Meal patterns are crucial for children's health and development.
- Understanding meal patterns and their determinants is essential for public health interventions.
- Previous research indicates potential associations between socioeconomic factors and dietary habits in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze changes in Norwegian children's meal patterns between 2001 and 2008.
- To investigate associations between meal patterns and demographic factors (gender, parental education, household structure).
- To explore the relationship between unhealthy snack intake, meal patterns, and demographic variables.
Main Methods:
- Two cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2001 and 2008 within the Fruits and Vegetables Make the Marks (FVMM) project.
- Questionnaires on the previous day's meals were administered to 6th and 7th graders in 27 elementary schools across two Norwegian counties.
- Data from 1488 participants in 2001 and 1339 in 2008 were analyzed.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in children's meal patterns were observed between 2001 and 2008.
- Over 90% of children consumed breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with 82% having supper.
- Girls were more likely to have lunch; children with higher parental education and those from two-parent households were more likely to eat breakfast and lunch.
Conclusions:
- Meal patterns remained consistent among Norwegian children from 2001 to 2008.
- Skipping meals was associated with living in a single-parent family and having parents with lower educational attainment.
- These findings highlight socioeconomic disparities in children's meal regularity.
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