title: Daily meal frequency and associated variables in children and adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the frequency distribution of daily meals and its relation to demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, anthropometric and biochemical factors in children and adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study with a representative sample of 708 schoolchildren aged 7-14 years. Data on personal information, socioeconomic status, physical activity and number of meals were obtained through semi-structured questionnaire and consumption by 24-h recall and food record. Weight and height measurements were also performed to calculate the body mass index. Finally, blood samples were collected for analysis of total cholesterol, high- and low density lipoprotein, triglyceride, and glucose levels. Descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney test, and Poisson regression were used in statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Meal frequency <4 was associated in children, family income <3 Brazilian minimum wages (PR=5.42; 95% CI: 1.29-22.77; p=0.021) and adolescents, the number of sons in the family >2 (PR=1.53; 95% CI: 1.11-2.11; p=0.010). Even in the age group of 10-14 years, <4 meals was related to higher prevalence of body mass index (PR=1.33; 95% CI: 1.02-1.74; p=0.032) and low-density lipoprotein (PR=1.39; 95% CI: 1.03-1.87; p=0.030) higher after adjustments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower frequency of meals was related to lower income in children and adolescents, larger number of sons in the family, and increased values of body mass index and low-density lipoprotein.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Departamento de Nutrição, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabiana A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Departamento de Nutrição, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Samara M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Candiá
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Departamento de Nutrição, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marina S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pequeno
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Medicina Social, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniela S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Sartorelli
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Departamento de Nutrição, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Larissa L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Departamento de Nutrição, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata M S
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Departamento de Nutrição, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Michele P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Netto
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Departamento de Nutrição, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: anapaula.candido@ufjf.edu.br.
authors.forename: Ana Paula C
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Cândido
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015930:Diet Records; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Cardiovascular risk factors; Children and adolescents; Crianças e adolescentes; Fatores de risco cardiovascular; Frequência de refeições; Meal frequency