Breakfast Consumption Is Associated With Favorable Nutrient Intake And Healthy Body Measures Among Ethnic Us Children: Results From Nhanes 2003-08

Study examined breakfast consumption patterns of US children by ethnicity (non‐Hispanic White, non‐Hispanic Black, Hispanic Mexican‐American) and association with nutrient intake and body measures. Study used day one dietary recall from NHANES 2003–08 for 2–12 y (n=5441). Study population was classified as readyto‐eat cereal eaters (RTEC) (n=2124), other breakfast eaters (n=2791) or breakfast skippers (n=526). Compared to the other two groups, RTEC eaters had significantly (p<0.05) higher intakes of total carbohydrate, total sugar, and most vitamins and minerals. Total milk intake was highest among RTEC eaters (350 g/d, p<0.000), across all ethnic groups. After adjusting for covariates, compared to breakfast skippers, breakfast consumption, regardless of type, was associated with lower values for BMI, BMI Z‐scores, and waist circumference, and % overweight and obese status (p<0.05). Breakfast skipping was more common among non‐Hispanic Black children (14% vs. 8% other groups). Among all three ethnicities, % non‐RTEC breakfast consumers was higher (45–54%) compared to % RTEC consumers (38–41%); RTEC breakfast consumers had significantly (p<0.05) higher intakes of most micronutrients, including those identified as nutrients of need in the dietary guidelines. For many of the micronutrients, RTEC was a substantial contributor to the children's daily nutrient intake. These data suggest that consumption of breakfast, as part of an overall healthy diet, may help children of all ethnicities manage body weight; breakfast, especially with RTEC, contributes to improved intakes of essential nutrients.