A study of 9847 European children found that 92% had breakfast regularly, but their consumption of nutrient-dense foods was below recommended levels, and children with obesity had a higher intake of unhealthy foods than those without obesity.

"Our study highlights diverse dietary habits among primary school-aged children in Europe, with significant variations in food intake by country, gender, and obesity status," the authors wrote. "Collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals, educators, and policymakers are essential to improve children's nutrition and reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity," they added.

The study was led by Lubna Mahmood, Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development Research Group, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. It was published online on February 27, 2025, in the European Journal of Pediatrics.

The accuracy of the findings was limited by the study's cross-sectional design and reliance on parental self-reported food data. Additional limitations included social desirability bias and the uneven distribution of participants across countries.

The Feel4Diabetes study received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The authors reported no conflicts of interest.