The Impact of Breakfast Consumption on Quality of Life Among Rice University Undergraduate Students – A Cross-Sectional Study

Breakfast consumption has been linked to improved physical and mental health, yet few studies have examined its impact on quality of life (QOL) in college students, a population with unique lifestyle challenges. PURPOSE: This study investigated the relationship between breakfast habits and QOL among Rice University undergraduates. METHODS: Rice undergraduates aged 18-25 (n = 61) completed a pre-screening questionnaire, demographic survey, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). Participants were categorized as breakfast-skippers (n = 28; eat breakfast 0-1 weekdays/week) or breakfast-eaters (n = 33; eat breakfast 4-5 weekdays/week). Two-sample t-tests and ANOVA were used to compare QOL scores between groups and assess the effects of breakfast habits alongside school of study, physical activity (measured by International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and credit hours. RESULTS: Breakfast-skippers and breakfast-eaters did not differ significantly in age, sex, ethnicity, race, school of study, physical activity, or credit hours. However, breakfast-eaters reported significantly longer sleep duration (7.24 + 0.8 vs. 6.61 + 1.2 hours; p = 0.016). Breakfast-eaters had higher mean scores across all WHOQOL-BREF domains, with a statistically significant difference in the Physical Health domain (81.7 + 0.34 vs. 71.4 + 0.50; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Regular breakfast consumption may be associated with higher perceived physical quality of life in Rice undergraduates. These findings suggest that breakfast habits, and potentially sleep, play a meaningful role in undergraduate physical wellbeing.