Daytime eating habits and their association with anemia status among Malaysian female university students

Anemia remains a significant public health concern, especially among young women. The SCARF (Study to Combat Anemia-Research for Female Students) study examined the association between daytime eating habits and anemia among Malaysian female university students. Using a validated chrono-nutrition questionnaire, meal patterns, dietary habits, and meal regularity were analyzed, while anemia status was determined by hemoglobin levels. Among 674 students, there were 44.4% Malay, 48.8% Chinese, and 3.4% Indian, with a mean age of 21.2 ± 1.5 y. About 59.3% were anemic, with a mean hemoglobin level of 11.6 ± 1.3 g/dL. Daytime meal-skipping habits were linked to significantly lower energy (p < 0.038), fat (p < 0.017), and folate intake (p = 0.003). Breakfast skipping was prevalent among anemic students (70%) compared to non-anemic students (61.3%; χ2 = 5.51, p = 0.019). Irregular breakfast habits significantly increased anemia prevalence (79.8% vs. 20.3%; χ2 = 5.10, p = 0.024). Lunch skipping three or more times weekly was a significant predictor of anemia, with an odds ratio of 1.62 (95% CI: 1.01–2.43; p = 0.04). These findings underscore the need for university health initiatives to promote regular breakfast and lunch habits, mitigating anemia risks and fostering long-term student health.