Skipping breakfast and its association with sociodemographic characteristics, night eating syndrome, and sleep quality among university students in Bangladesh

Introduction Skipping breakfast has become more common, and it can significantly affect a person’s health, performance, mood, and other physiological and psychological factors. In Bangladesh, university students often encounter unhealthy dietary habits, which raises questions about why many university students choose to skip breakfast. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of skipping breakfast among university students in Bangladesh and explore the contributing factors. Methods Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh was the location of this cross-sectional study. Breakfast consumption was measured with the single-question item, “How often do you eat breakfast?” (Almost every day, sometimes, rarely, or never). Skipping breakfast was classified as respondents selecting sometimes, rarely, or never having breakfast. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and sleep-related data were collected as key predictor variables. Multiple logistic regression models identified factors associated with skipping breakfast. Results The prevalence of skipping breakfast among study participants ( N = 502, 51.6% female and mean age 21.31 years) was 63.5%. Female students were more likely to skip breakfast compared to male students (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.06–2.55). Smoker participants had a higher likelihood of skipping breakfast compared to non-smokers (AOR = 3.92, 95% CI: 1.57–9.78). Students with night eating syndrome had a higher likelihood of skipping breakfast compared to their counterparts (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.06–3.22). Students with poor sleep quality were three times more likely to skip breakfast than their counterparts (AOR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.93–4.51). Overweight/obese students were less likely to skip breakfast compared to their counterparts (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.20–0.82). Conclusion This study highlights a high prevalence of skipping breakfast among university students in Bangladesh. Specifically, students who are females, smokers, poor sleepers and who have night eating syndrome are more likely to skip breakfast compared to their counterparts. These findings underscore a need for targeted interventions and educational programs to promote healthy breakfast habits. Addressing these modifiable risk factors can have a positive impact on students’ nutritional practices and their health and wellbeing.