Association of breakfast consumption with objectively measured and self-reported physical activity, sedentary time and physical fitness in European adolescents: the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association of breakfast consumption with objectively measured and self-reported physical activity, sedentary time and physical fitness. Design: The HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Cross-Sectional Study. Breakfast consumption was assessed by two non-consecutive 24 h recalls and by a 'Food Choices and Preferences' questionnaire. Physical activity, sedentary time and physical fitness components (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness and speed/agility) were measured and self-reported. Socio-economic status was assessed by questionnaire. Setting: Ten European cities. Subjects: Adolescents (n 2148; aged 12?5-17?5 years). Results: Breakfast consumption was not associated with measured or self-reported physical activity. However, 24 h recall breakfast consumption was related to measured sedentary time in males and females; although results were not confirmed when using other methods to assess breakfast patterns or sedentary time. Breakfast consumption was not related to muscular fitness and speed/agility in males and females. However, male breakfast consumers had higher cardiorespiratory fitness compared with occasional breakfast consumers and breakfast skippers, while no differences were observed in females. Overall, results were consistent using different methods to assess breakfast consumption or cardiorespiratory fitness (all P # 0?005). In addition, both male and female breakfast skippers (assessed by 24 h recall) were less likely to have high measured cardiorespiratory fitness compared with breakfast consumers (OR 5 0?33; 95 % CI 0?18, 0?59 and OR 5 0?56; 95 %CI 0?32, 0?98, respectively). Results persisted across methods.

Associations between eating behaviors and muscle strength among Chinese adults: A population-based cross-sectional study

“…Despite the difference in samples, these previous studies are consistent with the present findings. In contrast, our results are inconsistent with a European study that reported that breakfast consumption is not significantly associated with muscular fitness and speed/agility, only cardiorespiratory fitness, in 2,148 European adolescents aged 12.5-17.5 years [26]. The different methods used to assess breakfast consumption and muscle strength or different ages may explain the contrast in findings.…”

Relationship between breakfast consumption, BMI status and physical fitness of Ghanaian school-aged children

“…Breakfast consumption was not related to any physical fitness level except for 50 m run. Some studies have reported the beneficial effect of breakfast in promoting physical and cardiometabolic fitness while others found no effect [25,26]. In this study, the absence of a relationship between breakfast consumption and most physical fitness measures may be due to the fact that breakfast consumption or non-consumption was determined by one morning which was the morning of data collection.…”

Breakfast skipping in Greek schoolchildren connected to an unhealthy lifestyle profile. Results from the National Action for Children's Health program

“…18 On the contrary, a study of a sample of US adolescents did not find an association between breakfast skipping and meeting PA guidelines, in both sexes. 34 Furthermore, a study among adolescents from 10 European cities revealed that breakfast consumption was not associated with measured or self-reported PA. 35 Differences in sample sizes could potentially explain the different findings.…”