The Association Between Body Metrics and Breakfast Food Choice in Children

Purpose. Ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) consumption has been associated with better nutrient intakes and anthropometric end points compared with breakfast skipping and other breakfasts. Our objective was to evaluate RTEC breakfast type (presweetened and nonpresweetened) on physiological end points. Methods. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006 data were analyzed using SUDAAN. Participants (n = 6729; 2-17 years) were separated into groups based on breakfast habits as follows: presweetened RTEC (PS-RTEC); nonpresweetened RTEC (NPS-RTEC); breakfast skippers (SKs); other breakfasts (OBs). Presweetened was defined as ≥9 g of added sugars per serving. Results. No differences were found for weight, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, or lipids in children consuming PS-RTECs or NPS-RTECs. In children 12 to 17 years old, BMI and percentage of children overweight or obese were lower for consumers of PS-RTECs at breakfast compared with SK or OB groups. Skinfolds were significantly lower in PS-RTEC versus SK or OB groups. SK and OB children (12-17 years old) were nearly twice as likely to be overweight or obese as compared with children consuming PS-RTECs (odds ratio of 1.87 and 2.12, respectively). Conclusion. Consumption of breakfast cereal with higher or lower added sugar was not associated with unhealthy physiological end points in children. The study confirms the association between RTEC consumption and healthier body weights compared with children and adolescents skipping or consuming a non-RTEC breakfast.