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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Western Human Nutrition Research Center » Obesity and Metabolism Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #275637

Title: Skipping breakfast is associated with lower physical activity energy expenditure in young healthy women

Author
item MARQUEZ, ALEXA - University Of California
item FORESTER, SHAVAWN - University Of California
item WITBRACHT, MEGAN - University Of California
item CAMPBELL, CAITLIN - University Of California
item GUSTAFSON, MARY - University Of California
item Keim, Nancy

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2012
Publication Date: 3/29/2012
Citation: Marquez, A.P., Forester, S., Witbracht, M., Campbell, C., Gustafson, M., Keim, N.L. 2012. Skipping breakfast is associated with lower physical activity energy expenditure in young healthy women. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 820.21.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Objective: According to recent NHANES data, the prevalence of breakfast consumption has decreased in adults from 89% to 82% between 1971 and 2002. Skipping breakfast has been negatively correlated with physical activity but positively correlated with body weight and risk factors associated with obesity. Our objective was to assess physical activity and other health parameters in habitual breakfast skippers and breakfast eaters. Methods: A sample of 67 healthy women, 25 ± 0.6 y, were grouped according to their self reported breakfast eating habits, breakfast skippers (n=18) breakfast eaters (n=49). Breakfast was defined as consuming no food or liquid except water before 10am. Blood pressure (BP), BMI, body fat%, fasting blood lipids, and physical activity were measured. Results: We found no significant differences in BMI, body fat %, waist-to-hip ratio, resting metabolic rate, and blood lipids. However, physical activity was lower (p=0.007) and systolic BP was higher (p=0.04) in breakfast skippers compared to breakfast eaters. Conclusion: In our sample of young healthy women, physical activity was lower in those who skip breakfast. It appears that skipping breakfast and reduced physical activity occur across a wide age spectrum. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms through which breakfast habits affect physical activity in the young adult population. Funding: USDA,CSRESS 2009-35215-05364