Prevalence and Correlates of Missing Meals Among High School Students-United States, 2010.

Purpose:To determine the prevalence and correlates of missing meals among adolescents.Design:The 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study, a cross-sectional study.Setting:School based.Participants:A nationally representative sample of 11 429 high school students.Measures:Breakfast, lunch, and dinner consumption; demographics; measured and perceived weight status; physical activity and sedentary behaviors; and fruit, vegetable, milk, sugar-sweetened beverage, and fast-food intake.Analysis:Prevalence estimates for missing breakfast, lunch, or dinner on ≥1 day during the past 7 days were calculated. Associations between demographics and missing meals were tested. Associations of lifestyle and dietary behaviors with missing meals were examined using logistic regression controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, and grade.Results:In 2010, 63.1% of students missed breakfast, 38.2% missed lunch, and 23.3% missed dinner; the prevalence was highest among female and non-Hispanic black students. Being ove...