The term ‘meal patterns’ is an overarching construct that is often used to describe individuals' eating patterns at the level of a ‘meal’, such as a main meal (for example, breakfast, lunch or dinner) or a smaller-sized meal (for example, supper or snack). The neutral terms ‘eating occasion’ (EO) or ‘eating event’ are also used to describe any occasion where food or drink is ingested, and therefore incorporates all meal types (The term ‘meal patterns’ is an overarching construct that is often used to describe individuals' eating patterns at the level of a ‘meal’, such as a main meal (for example, breakfast, lunch or dinner) or a smaller-sized meal (for example, supper or snack). The neutral terms ‘eating occasion’ (EO) or ‘eating event’ are also used to describe any occasion where food or drink is ingested, and therefore incorporates all meal types)
