Prevalence and associated factors of skipping breakfast among university students from 28 countries: a cross-sectional study.

Background Skipping breakfast can negatively affect one's health. Objective The study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of skipping breakfast among university students in 28 countries. Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, 21,958 university students with a median age of 20 years from 28 mainly low - and middle-income countries, replied to self-reported measures of breakfast consumption, health risk behaviours, mental health measures and protective factors. Results Indicates that 48.0% of students skipped breakfast (never, rarely or sometimes had breakfast). In adjusted multinomial logistic regression, living away from home, perceived overweight, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, physical inactivity, short sleep, long sleep, depression and in a physical fight were associated with infrequent and/or frequent skipping breakfast. Conclusion Almost two in five students skipped breakfast, and several factors were identified that can be targeted in intervention programmes.