Relationship Between Protein Intake in Each Traditional Meal and Physical Activity: Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background Protein intake plays an important role in the synthesis and maintenance of skeletal muscles for the prevention of health risks. It is also widely known that physical activity influences muscle function. However, no large-scale studies have examined the relationship between daily dietary habits, especially the timing of protein intake, and daily physical activity. Objective The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate how protein intake and composition (involving the 3 major nutrients protein, fat, and carbohydrate) in the 3 traditional meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are associated with physical activity. Methods Using daily dietary data accumulated in the smartphone food log app “Asken” and a web-based cross-sectional survey involving Asken users (N=8458), we analyzed nutrient intake and composition, as well as daily activity levels. As very few individuals skipped breakfast (1102/19,319 responses, 5.7%), we analyzed data for 3 meals per day. Results Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed that breakfast and lunch protein intakes had higher positive correlations with daily physical activity among the 3 major macronutrients (P<.001). These findings were confirmed by multivariate logistic regression analysis with confounding factors. Moreover, participants with higher protein intake and composition at breakfast or lunch tended to exhibit significantly greater physical activity than those with higher protein intake at dinner (P<.001). Conclusions Among the 3 macronutrients, protein intake during breakfast and lunch was closely associated with daily physical activity.

Association of Eating Pattern, Chronotype, and Social Jetlag: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Data Accumulated in a Japanese Food-Logging Mobile Health Application

“…The general characteristics of the study group are indicated in Table 1. As described previously [28,29], the ratio of carbohydrate intake within the macronutrients in the current participants was lower than the Dietary Intake Standards for the Japanese, which is 50-65% carbohydrate in all ages. Interestingly, in a day, the carbohydrate ratio was higher at breakfast and lower at dinner.…”

Modification of Breakfast Fat Composition Can Modulate Cytokine and Other Inflammatory Mediators in Women: A Randomized Crossover Trial

“…Konishi et al also showed that serum concentrations of triglycerides and SFA were significantly decreased in a group of participants with a high intake of fish oil at breakfast [19]. In addition, other studies have shown a better health status in people with a higher protein intake at breakfast [20]. In addition, the recent study by Truman et al showed that women whose breakfast, as opposed to lunch or dinner, contributed the greatest percentage to their daily fat intake had higher inflammatory marker levels compare to women whose dinner contributed the most to their fat intake [21].…”