[Relationship between breakfast consumption and health-related habits among university students in Japan]

Objectives　The aim of the present study was to describe the current state of health-related habits and examine their association with breakfast consumption habits and other health-related habits among university students in Japan.Methods　A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,755 third and fourth year university students in 17 academic departments from 14 universities in metropolitan areas or regional cities of Japan using a self-administered questionnaire. The survey included items addressing the participants' demographic characteristics and health-related habits (nutrition and dietary habits, physical activity and exercise, rest, alcohol drinking, smoking, and oral health). The relationships between breakfast consumption and other health-related habits were examined using a multiple logistic regression analysis.Results　Significant gender-dependent differences were found in the students' health-related habits. Logistic regression models found that breakfast consumption habits were positively associated to better nutritional balance, fruit and vegetable consumption, simple exercises for health, physical activity in daily life, enough sleep quantity, sleep quality, not staying up late, lower alcohol consumption, and lesser smoking.Conclusion　The present study elucidated the current state of unhealthy lifestyles among university students. It appeared that students who regularly consume breakfast had healthier behaviors in various other health-related habits. Accordingly, these students' breakfast consumption status could be used as a core indicator for identifying those with high-risk health-related habits and could help identify them as potential targets for support.