Abstract
There is a general belief that having breakfast is an important healthy lifestyle factor; however, there is scarce evidence on the influence of breakfast quality and energy density on cardiometabolic risk in children, as well as on the role of physical activity in this association. The aims of this paper were (i) to examine the associations of breakfast quality and energy density from both solids and beverages with cardiometabolic risk factors, and (ii) to explore whether physical activity levels may attenuate these relationships in children with overweight/obesity from two projects carried out in the north and south of Spain. Breakfast consumption, breakfast quality index (BQI) score, BEDs/BEDb (24 h-recalls and the KIDMED questionnaire), and physical activity (PA; accelerometry) were assessed, in 203 children aged 8–12 years who were overweight or obese. We measured body composition (Dual X-ray Absorptiometry), uric acid, blood pressure, lipid profile, gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT), glucose, and insulin, and calculated the HOMA and metabolic syndrome z-score. The BQI score was inversely associated with serum uric acid independently of a set of relevant confounders (β = −0.172, p = 0.028), but the relationship was attenuated after further controlling for total PA (p < 0.07). BEDs was positively associated with total and HDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure regardless of confounders (all p < 0.05), while BEDb was positively associated with HOMA in either active/inactive children (all p < 0.03). In conclusion, higher breakfast quality and lower breakfast energy density should be promoted in overweight/obesity children to improve their cardiometabolic health.
Highlights
Breakfast has traditionally been considered as being the first, and the most important meal of the day
There is no strong evidence on whether having a low energy intake breakfast time is detrimental to childrens’ physical activity levels [23]. Given that both the quality and the energy density seem to be important dimensions of the first meal of the day, to be considered for their potential relationship between obesity and related metabolic disorders, and that physical activity may attenuate the detrimental effect of unhealthy breakfast habits on cardiometabolic health, the aims of the current study were: (i) to examine the associations of breakfast quality and energy density from both solids and beverages with cardiometabolic risk factors, and (ii) to explore whether physical activity levels may attenuate these relationships in children who were overweight or obese from two projects carried out in the north and south of Spain
Breakfast Quality Index (BQI) score was similar in boys and girls (Table 1), whereas children from the ActiveBrains trial had significantly higher BQI score compared to children from the EFIGRO project, and had a better breakfast quality (p < 0.001)
Summary
Breakfast has traditionally been considered as being the first, and the most important meal of the day. The overall diet quality of children who consume breakfast is healthier compared to those who skip it [6]. The breakfast of Spanish children is predominantly composed of sugary and fat-rich products such as biscuits, pastries, breakfast cereals, artificial juices, and milkshakes [12]. In this line, a previous study reported that breakfast frequency and quality may affect glycaemia and appetite in both children and adults [13]. Thereby, diet quality and energy density are important dietary factors when analyzing the adequacy of breakfast as well as of the other meals such as lunch or dinner
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
