Adolescent Weight Status and Related Behavioural Factors: Web Survey of Physical Activity and Nutrition

Table 3

Group differences in suboptimal meal behaviours* based on BMI classification^†.

	BMI Classification^‡ (mean ± SE)			F value	P value
	Non-overweight^§	Overweight	Obese
Meal frequency** (𝑛=3114)
Breakfast	4.25 ± 0.03^a	4.14 ± 0.06	4.02 ± 0.09^c	4.35	0.014^ac
Lunch	4.66 ± 0.02	4.64 ± 0.04	4.51 ± 0.06	2.95	nsd
Dinner	4.87 ± 0.01	4.89 ± 0.02	4.78 ± 0.04	2.83	nsd
Snacks	3.55 ± 0.02^a	3.31 ± 0.05^b	3.25 ± 0.08^b, c	16.67	<0.001^ab, ac
Consuming meals and snacks away from home^†† (𝑛=3529)
School cafeteria	2.33 ± 0.03	2.35 ± 0.06	2.40 ± 0.10	0.27	nsd
Fast food/take out	2.31 ± 0.02	2.26 ± 0.04	2.19 ± 0.06	2.40	nsd
Other restaurant	2.05 ± 0.02	2.08 ± 0.04	2.06 ± 0.06	0.37	nsd
Vending machines	2.19 ± 0.02	2.16 ± 0.05	2.18 ± 0.08	0.22	nsd
Snack bars	2.25 ± 0.02	2.15 ± 0.05	2.17 ± 0.08	1.93	nsd
Convenience store	2.52 ± 0.02	2.51 ± 0.05	2.56 ± 0.08	0.20	nsd

BMI: Body Mass Index; nsd: no significant difference; SE: standard error of the mean.
*Adjusted for total caloric intake (energy).
^†Univariate analyses.
^‡Classified according to the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs [22].
^§Non-overweight refers to all non-overweight, non-obese students.
**Meal frequency: never = 1, on weekends only = 2, less than half of the week (≤3 days/week) = 3, more than half of the week (≥4 days/week) = 4, every day = 5; snacks were averaged before analysis (morning snacks, afternoon snacks, evening snacks).
^††Consuming meals and snacks away from home: rarely or never = 1, once a month = 2, once a week = 3, 2–6 times a week = 4, once a day = 5.
^{a, b, c}Different superscript letters in each row indicate significant statistical differences.