Association between breakfast composition and abdominal obesity in the Swiss adult population eating breakfast regularly

Abstract

BackgroundEvidence from experimental and observational studies is limited regarding the most favorable breakfast composition to prevent abdominal fat accumulation. We explored the association between breakfast composition (a posteriori derived dietary patterns) and abdominal obesity among regular breakfast eaters from a Swiss population-based sample.MethodsThe cross-sectional survey assessed diet using two 24-h dietary recalls in a nationally representative sample of adults aged 18 to 75 years. We derived dietary patterns using principal component analysis based on the intake of 22 breakfast-specific food groups. All regular breakfast eaters were predicted an individual score for each identified pattern, and then classified into tertiles (T1, T2, T3). We defined abdominal obesity as waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) ≥ 0.9 in men and ≥ 0.85 in women. Logistic models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, relevant nutrition- and health-related behaviors, and diet quality during the rest of the day.ResultsOf the 2019 included survey participants, 1351 (67%) were regular breakfast eaters. Among them, we identified three breakfast types: 1) ‘traditional’ − white bread, butter, sweet spread, 2) ‘prudent’ − fruit, unprocessed and unsweetened cereal flakes, nuts/seeds, yogurt, and 3) ‘western’ – processed breakfast cereals, and milk. The ‘prudent’ breakfast was negatively associated with abdominal obesity. After full adjustment, including diet quality during the rest of the day, the association was weaker (T3 vs. T1: OR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.47 to 1.08). People taking a ‘prudent’ breakfast (in T3) had 1.2% lower WHR compared to people taking a breakfast distant from ‘prudent’ (in T1) (P = 0.02, fully adjusted model with continuous log-WHR). We found no association between ‘traditional’ or ‘western’ breakfasts and WHR (OR 1.00, 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.50 and OR 1.16, 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.71, respectively). Findings were in the same directions for the three breakfast types when defining obesity with waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, or body mass index (≥ 30 kg/m2, for ‘prudent’ breakfast: OR 0.51, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.85).ConclusionsRegular breakfast consumers had less abdominal obesity if their breakfast was composed of fruit, natural cereal flakes, nuts/seeds and yogurt. This association was partly explained by their healthier diet during the rest of the day.Trial registrationISRCTN16778734.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12966-018-0752-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Breakfast-Based Dietary Patterns and Obesity in Tehranian Adults

“…Some other studies, such as those of Rezazadeh and Rashidkhani 41 and Shin et al 45 showed that healthy dietary patterns were inversely related to the risk of overweight or obesity. However, the "prudent" dietary pattern identified in the study of Chatelan et al, 9 which is similar to the dietary pattern of "fruits, vegetables, and eggs" in our study, had an inverse relationship with central obesity, inconsistent with our findings. This may be due to different factor loadings in the two studies.…”

“…In addition, the dietary pattern of "sweets, tea and coffee" in our study is similar to the traditional dietary pattern reported by Chatelan et al 9 of white bread, butter, and sweet spread, and the third dietary pattern identified by Iqbal et al 40 (high factor load for sugar and confectionary, eggs, butter, and bread). Furthermore, the dietary pattern of "fruits, vegetables, and eggs" in our study is similar to the second dietary pattern ("prudent"-fruit, unprocessed and unsweetened cereal flakes, nuts/seeds, yogurt) in the study of Chatelan et al 9 as well as the Northern Brazil dietary pattern reported by Baltar et al 38 (positive factor loadings for meats, preparations with corn, eggs, tubers/roots/potatoes, dairy products, savory snacks/crackers, fruit juices/fruit drinks/soy-based drinks).…”

“…There is an abundance of evidence to suggest that breakfast consumption is associated with overweight and obesity. 9,10 However, Chatelan et al 9 reported that participants who ate fruit, natural cereal flakes, nuts/ seeds, and yogurt for breakfast had a lower risk of abdominal obesity because of good dietary choices the rest of the day. In two studies involving Iranian and African-American students, respectively, skipping breakfast was associated with overweight and obesity; 11,12 moreover, some studies have shown that in breakfast skippers, free fatty acids increase throughout the morning hours, resulting in decreased insulin sensitivity later in the day.…”

Association Between Obesity Type and Common Vascular and Metabolic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This variability may be primarily attributed to lifestyle difference throughout China. Studies have shown that a variety of lifestyle factors can influence the incidence of central obesity, such as breakfast composition and sleep duration (29,30). School education related to diet and lifestyle can reduce the incidence of central obesity in pre-teenagers, despite a tendency in this group toward decreased physical activity and increased screen time (31).…”

The Association between Chronotype and Dietary Pattern among Adults: A Scoping Review

“…Despite many studies reporting the importance of breakfast [61,62], perhaps not everyone (especially late chronotype) can benefit from its advantages. The composition of meals can also affect or alter the beneficial effects of breakfast [63,64]. Thus, the current review suggests the needs for further research to establish appropriate meal timing and composition that are personalised to an individual's circadian clock.…”