Evaluation of the Relationship Between Students' Breakfast Habits and Chronotype: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This research was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the breakfast habits of students and their chronotypes. Material and Methods: The research, which was carried out as a cross-sectional study, was carried out with the participation of parents with children in 6-12 age range between December 21st, 2018 and May 18th, 2019 by the online survey method. Socio-Demographic and Breakfast Habits Survey Form and Children's Chrono type Questionnaire were used as data collection tools. A total of 431 parents (77% mothers, mean age: 40.61±6.51, 61.5% daughters, children's mean age: 10.1±1.9) were included in the study. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant in the evaluation. Results: It was determined that 4.4% of the intermediate type children and 15.7% of the E-type children did not have breakfast on weekdays. It was found that 10.4% of the E-type children did not have breakfast at the weekend. E-type students were found to be skipping breakfast (SB) both on weekdays and at weekends. In the split-day schooling hours practice, morning students (attending school from 07.00 to 13.00) were determined to be SB much more on weekdays. It was found that children had a higher risk of skipping the weekday breakfast as weekday sleep decreased, and the risk of skipping the weekend breakfast was higher as the weekend sleep periods increased. Conclusion: Health service providers are recommended to evaluate the sleep, chronotype and breakfast habits of children and their families and involve families in health promotion interventions regarding breakfast consumption.