The Association Between Skipping Breakfast and Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents—A Scoping Review
<b>Background:</b> Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health disorders affecting adolescents worldwide. Skipping breakfast is a prevalent dietary behaviour linked to inadequate nutrient intake, which may contribute to the development or exacerbation of mental health...
Saved in:
Main Authors: | , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
Series: | Children |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/7/953 |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Summary: | <b>Background:</b> Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health disorders affecting adolescents worldwide. Skipping breakfast is a prevalent dietary behaviour linked to inadequate nutrient intake, which may contribute to the development or exacerbation of mental health issues in this age group. Despite growing interest, a comprehensive synthesis of evidence on the association between breakfast omission and adolescent anxiety or depression remains limited. <b>Objectives:</b> This scoping review aimed to synthesise existing research on the association between skipping breakfast and the risk of anxiety and/or depression in adolescents. <b>Methods:</b> A systematic scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodological framework. A comprehensive search of PubMed, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost databases was performed, focusing on studies published in English between 2014 and 2024. Keywords included “skipping breakfast,” “risk,” “anxiety,” “depression,” and “adolescen*.” Studies were screened and selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. <b>Results</b>: Out of 1671 initially identified studies, 12 met the inclusion criteria. The majority were cross-sectional (n = 9), with one prospective cohort study, one secondary data analysis, and one systematic review with meta-analysis. Most studies reported a significant association between breakfast skipping and increased risk of anxiety and depression in adolescents. Only one study reported no significant relationship between the two variables. <b>Conclusions</b>: This review underscores a consistent association between skipping breakfast and elevated risk of anxiety and depression among adolescents. While causality remains to be established, breakfast omission emerges as a modifiable lifestyle factor with potential public health implications. These findings highlight the need for prospective research, as well as the importance of community- and school-based health promotion strategies that advocate for regular and nutritious breakfast consumption as part of broader mental health support efforts. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 2227-9067 |