Prevalence of Breakfast Skipping and Factors Associated with it Among Medical and Health Sciences Students in University of Science and Technology, Aden, Yemen

Abstract

Background: University students regularized the dietary habit of breakfast skipping. Regardless of these concerns, the limits in the documentation of breakfast-skipping habits among undergraduates in Aden emphasizes the necessity of this study. Objective: To determine the prevalence of breakfast skipping and the associated factors among university students. Methods: This research utilized an institution-based cross-sectional analytical design administered at the UST, Aden. An entirety of 170 university students from medical and health science programs took part utilizing a convenience sample. A structured self-administered questionnaire was employed to assemble the data covering the study. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses were executed using IBM SPSS version 22, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Ethical clearance was acquired from the university ethics committee. Results: The study found that 72.9% of students skipped breakfast, while only 27.1% consumed breakfast regularly. Most participants (64.7%) slept fewer than six hours per night, and only 30.0% achieved the recommended 6–7 hours of sleep. Significant associations were observed between breakfast skipping and perceived importance of breakfast (p < 0.001) as well as sleep duration (p = 0.008). However, no statistically significant associations were found between breakfast skipping and demographic or academic factors. Conclusion: Nearly 72.9% of medical and health sciences students at the University of Science and Technology skip breakfast. This habit links closely to short sleep and low awareness rather than demographics. Campus programs are urgently needed to promote better nutrition and healthy sleep habits.