Skipping Breakfast Is Associated with an Atherogenic Lipid Profile in Overweight and Obese Prepubertal Children

Abstract

Background. Skipping breakfast has been associated with a higher risk of obesity and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. However, it is not known if skipping breakfast is also correlated with CV risk factors independently from obesity. The mechanisms explaining the role of skipping breakfast on promoting fat accumulation as well as CV risk are not known. Hormones, in particular, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), may potentially play a role in the metabolic profile of breakfast skippers. Aim. This cross-sectional study aims to test, in a sample of overweight/obese children, the hypotheses that skipping breakfast is associated with a worse metabolic profile and that IGF-1 levels are associated with this unfavorable metabolic profile. Methods and Results. We enrolled 112 overweight/obese prepubertal children (3–12 years). Anthropometric characteristics (height SDS, weight SDS, and body mass index (BMI) z-score) were measured. Blood samples were collected to evaluate glucose and lipid metabolisms and hormone profile (growth hormone (GH), IGF-1, insulin, and cortisol). The triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio was calculated as a predictor of cardiovascular risk. Children were divided into two groups according to breakfast habits: consumers (≥5 weekly; N = 76) and skippers (≤4 weekly; N = 36). Glycaemia, total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides (p<0.05), and triglycerides/HDL cholesterol ratio (p<0.001) were higher, while HDL cholesterol was lower (p<0.01) in skippers as compared to consumers. IGF-1 concentrations were inversely correlated with LDL cholesterol (r = −0.279, p=0.013) and directly correlated with HDL cholesterol (r = 0.226, p=0.047). IGF-1 correlated positively with HDL cholesterol (r = 0.266, p=0.045) in consumers and correlated negatively with LDL cholesterol (r = −0.442, p=0.024) in skippers. Breakfast consumption among prepubertal overweight/obese children showed a better lipid profile in comparison with those who skipped breakfast [OR: 0.165 (95% CI: 0.053–0.518), p=0.001]; these latter odds of the increased triglycerides/HDL cholesterol ratio was 6.1-fold higher. Conclusions. Breakfast skippers show a worse lipid profile when compared to breakfast consumers. IGF-1 might play a role as an independent modulator of lipid metabolism.

Causal relationship between breakfast skipping and myocardial infarction: Two-sample Mendelian randomization

“…[ 11 ] Expanding beyond heart diseases, a substantial body of research correlates breakfast skipping with a heightened risk of various health issues. This encompasses elevated risks of hypertension, [ 39 , 42 ] diabetes, [ 43 , 44 ] obesity, [ 45 , 46 ] elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, [ 47 , 48 ] dysregulated lipid levels [ 49 ] and metabolic syndrome. [ 50 – 52 ] Collectively, these conditions are well-recognized risk factors for MI.…”

An Assessment of Predisposing Factors of Atherogenic Dyslipidemia in an Urban Pediatric Population in Cameroon

“…Also, at the level of the liver, thyroid hormone functions in the synthesis and metabolism of fatty acids and cholesterol and a deficiency of thyroid hormone contribute to elevated levels of TC and TG [45]. In addition, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is an important modulator in lipid metabolism [14]. For example, a recent study revealed that IGF-1 had a protective effect against increased levels of LDL-C amongst children and adolescents with short stature [46].…”

“…A recent report has indicated that prepubertal children who consume breakfast regularly had better lipid profiles than those who skip breakfast (OR 0.17, CI: 0.05 -0.52) [14]. Also, a large study among European adolescents had indicated that breakfast skippers had worse lipid profiles when compared with breakfast consumers [47].…”

“…A screen time greater than one hour/day was associated with a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia among Chinese boys [13]. Concerning dietary habits, a cross sectional study revealed that children who skip breakfast had higher mean TC, TG and LDL-C concentrations than those who do not skip breakfast Journal of Biosciences and Medicines [14]. Also, the risk of dyslipidemia was found to increase among children, who eat unhealthy foods (fried and salty foods, butter, snacks, meat-derived foods) when compared with those who ate healthy foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes and cereals) [15].…”