Breakfast Choice Is Associated with Nutrient, Food Group and Discretionary Intakes in Australian Adults at Both Breakfast and the Rest of the Day

Abstract

Breakfast choice is correlated with daily nutrient intakes, but this association may not be solely explained by the breakfast meal. We profiled breakfast consumer groups among Australian adults and compared the role that breakfast versus the rest of the day had on daily intakes of the Five Food Groups, discretionary foods, and nutrients. Breakfast groups were breakfast cereal consumers, non-cereal breakfast consumers, and breakfast skippers. One-day dietary recall data from the 2011–2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey were analysed (n = 9341, ≥19 years), as well as socio-demographic and anthropometric measures. Twelve per cent of adults were breakfast skippers, 41% were breakfast cereal consumers, and 47% were non-cereal breakfast consumers. Females were more likely to have a non-cereal breakfast than males, and the non-cereal breakfast was predominantly bread-based. Breakfast skipping decreased with age (p < 0.001), while breakfast cereal consumption increased with age (p < 0.001). Breakfast skippers were more likely to be male, had a lower socio-economic status, and lower physical activity levels (p < 0.001). Breakfast skippers had the highest mean body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (p < 0.001), the lowest intake of wholegrain foods, fruits and vegetables, and the highest intake of discretionary foods (p < 0.001). Breakfast cereal consumers had the lowest mean BMI and waist circumference (p < 0.001) and had healthier diets at both breakfast and throughout the rest of the day. They were the most likely to meet the daily recommended serves for grain foods, fruit, dairy, and vegetables, had the highest wholegrain food intake, and the lowest discretionary intake (p < 0.001). Additionally, breakfast cereal consumers had the most favourable daily nutrient intakes, including the lowest added sugars intakes. Differences in daily diet between breakfast groups were attributed to differences in food choices both at breakfast and throughout the rest of the day.

Breakfast Consumption Habit and Its Nutritional Contribution in Latin America: Results from the ELANS Study

“…Breakfast consumption was associated with an older age whereas breakfast skipping (5.5% of sample) was found to be highest among adolescents. This finding is consistent with a body of evidence from several countries [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 , 39 ] showing that regularity of breakfast intake is commonly lower in adolescents compared to adults of the same populations. Although some studies have hypothesized that this age difference could be a transient phenomenon from a lower frequency of breakfast in adolescents to a regular consumption in adulthood [ 6 ], this does not seem to be the case for part of the LA countries assessed in ELANS.…”

“…Argentina was the only country which has exceeded the recommendations for total carbohydrates in this meal [ 50 ] and this has been explained by the intake of added sugar 2.5 times higher than recommended [ 51 ]. Of note, all countries presented an added sugar intake above the recommendation of 10% [ 51 ], which corroborates with previous findings from other IBRI studies [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 , 39 ] and from ELANS [ 52 , 53 ].…”

Breakfast Nutritional Quality and Cognitive Interference in University Students from Mexico City

“…In our study, participants who eat breakfast after one hour of waking up eat less fruits and more fat-rich grains. Similarly to our results, Australian adults who skip breakfast were less likely to eat grain foods, fruits, and vegetables; and were more likely to eat refined foods, compared to breakfast consumers [33]. Also, breakfast skippers had the highest intake of added and free sugars, and the lowest micronutrient intake [34].…”

Breakfast Skipping, Body Composition, and Cardiometabolic Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Trials

“…Another possible explanation for the seemingly protective effect of breakfast on body weight is that breakfast consumers display other health‐related behaviors. A 2019 Australian observational study found that differences in daily diet intake among cereal breakfast eaters, noncereal breakfast eaters, and breakfast skippers were attributable to different food choices both at breakfast and during the rest of the day (32). Furthermore, in a 10‐year prospective study, the protective effect of breakfast consumption on the prevention of weight gain was partially explained by fiber and nutrient intake (6).…”