Published Paper Details:

Aim: To assess the effect of skipping meals on nutritional status of individuals both males and females 20 - 40 years. Objective: 1)To assess nutritional status using anthropometric measurements. 2) To assess the nutritional status using 24 hour recall method. 3) To assess the dietary patterns, sleep patterns, medical history, reproductive health and physical activity of both the groups. 4) To observe the effect of skipping meals on various factors. Methods: The study was conducted in Mumbai. Purposive convenience sampling method was used for the participants both males and females in the age group of 20 - 40 year. Total sample size was 70. Tool used were 24hr Dietary recall method. Anthropometric measurement like current weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (W/H) were collected and analyzed using WHO criteria. The data collected was coded using statistical analysis tool. Analyses were performed using SPSS software version 20. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results and discussion: In this study 43 females and 27 males were included, in which 82.9% samples belonged to nuclear family. Majority of the samples were found to be graduates (50%) who majorly belonged to high socio- economic status (52%). The BMI of the samples was found to be falling in obese category 48.6%.Waist-Hip ratios revealed that, females had a higher risk (38.6%) of metabolic complications compared to males. It was observedthat the BMI increases when the samples skipped meals and showed a positive correlation at (p = 0.00). Samples who ate less than 3 meals in a day showed higher BMI (26.15 � 2.8) compared to those who had more than 3 meals in a day. These two parameters showed positive correlation among them. (p = 0.027). Conclusion: In the present study it can be concluded that less than 3 meals in a day and intake of less calories from food increases the individuals BMI.