EFFECT OF SKIPPING BREAKFAST ON DIFFERENT DOMAINS OF COGNITIVE FUNCTION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
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Keywords
Breakfast skipping, scales of measurement, medical students, hostel staying, late sleeping, late waking up
Abstract
Introduction Breakfast is considered to play a crucial role in maintaining the physical health and intellectual capabilities of a person. It is central to one’s daily nutritional requirement, contributing significantly to the total daily energy and nutrient intake.
Aim: To find out the prevalence of skipping breakfast and its effect with different domains of cognitive function.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in the Postgraduate Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Jammu for the duration of 6 months from 1st December 2023 to 31st April 2024 on 150 subjects belonging to both sexes from undergraduate medical students. Cognitive function was assessed using validated scales of measurement like FDS (Forward Digit Span) and BDS (Backward Digit Span) for assessing short term and working memory respectively and MMSE (Mini Mental Scale Examination) for assessing global cognitive function. Subjects were required to fill printed Questionnaire. The objectives and benefits of the study were verbally explained to the students followed by obtaining written consent from those who agreed to participate. A written form was attached to the questionnaire with the assurance of confidentiality of the data without affecting their course progress.
Results A good proportion of the students were found to have skipped breakfast either once or more than once in a week (67.3%, 95% CI: 56.18-71.38%). Female students were more likely to skip breakfast compared to male students (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.05–2.56). Waking up late (OR- 10), sleeping late (OR-8), and staying in hostels (OR- 9) were the important factors significantly associated (p<0.05) with break-fast skipping. All the three scores (FDS, BDS and MMSE) were higher among those who took breakfast.
Conclusion This study indicating positive association between having breakfast and certain domains of cognitive function. Breakfast skipping behavior is high among undergraduate medical students. The students should be encouraged to eat regular breakfast through health promotion campaigns.
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Dr. Siyab Ayoub
Postgraduate Scholar, Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Jammu, India
Dr. Gurmeet Kaur
Professor, Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Jammu, India
Dr. Vanita Sharma
Professor & HOD, Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Jammu, India
Dr. Shazia
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Jammu, India