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Title: Nutrient intake, diet quality, and weight/adiposity parameters in breakfast patterns compared with no breakfast in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2008

Author
item O'NEIL, CAROL - LSU Agcenter
item NICKLAS, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item FULGONI III, VICTOR - Nutrition Impact, Llc

Submitted to: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/19/2014
Publication Date: 12/15/2014
Citation: O'Neil, C.E., Nicklas, T.A., Fulgoni III, V.L. 2014. Nutrient intake, diet quality, and weight/adiposity parameters in breakfast patterns compared with no breakfast in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2008. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 114(12 Suppl): s27-s43.

Interpretive Summary: The effect of breakfast skipping and breakfast consumption by adults on nutrient intake, diet quality, and weight/adiposity status has not been as well studied as it has in children, and results from existing studies are inconsistent, making them difficult to interpret. This study showed that nearly 20% of the adult population skipped breakfast; in addition, 11 specific breakfast patterns consumed by adults were identified. These data suggest that breakfast is an important meal and generally makes a positive contribution to nutrient intake and diet quality, but that care should be taken to select nutrient dense foods, such as fortified cereals and other healthy grain foods low in fat and added sugars, as well as whole fruit/100% fruit juice and lower-fat milk. It is also important to integrate this type of nutrient-dense breakfast with an overall healthy eating plan. These results, as well as the inverse association with weight and adiposity measures shown in consumers placed in some patterns, need additional study. Additional study is also needed to determine how breakfast meals influence energy, nutrient, and food group intakes and the timing of meals/snacks throughout the day.

Technical Abstract: The effect of different breakfast consumption patterns on nutrient intake, diet quality, and weight/adiposity status is unknown. The objective was to compare nutrient intake, diet quality, and weight/adiposity measures of consumers assigned to different breakfast patterns with breakfast skippers. These associations were assessed in adults 19+ years participating in the 2001-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Intake was determined from 1-day 24-hour dietary recall. Diet quality was quantified using the Healthy Eating Index-2005. Body mass index and waist circumferences were determined. Twelve patterns (including No Breakfast), explaining 58% of the variance in energy from the breakfast meal, were examined. Covariate adjusted general linear models were used to compare nutrient intakes. The P value was Bonferroni corrected. Results suggest dietary and weight advantages of consuming breakfast, especially ones that include grains, cereals, lower-fat milk, and whole fruit/100% fruit juice, in contrast to the potential adverse effects of skipping breakfast.