Frequency of Breakfast and Meals in Relation to Weight Change in a Cohort of Mexican Women (P18-031-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate weight change between 2008 and 2011 in relation to the frequency of breakfast and meals. MethodsData were obtained from 60,946 women from the Mexican Teacher’s cohort. Lifestyle, diet, and anthropometric data were obtained by self-report. Frequency of breakfast and meals were categorized (0, 1–3, 4–6, or 7 day/week; 1–2, 3–4, or >5 times/day). We used linear and logistic regression to analyze weight change continuous or dichotomized as significant weight change (>5 kg). Models were adjusted for sociodemographic, dietary and lifestyle factors. ResultsWomen who ate breakfast daily obtained an odds ratio (OR) of 0.95; (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88, 1.03) versus women who did not have breakfast any day of the week (reference category). As the frequency of breakfast increased, the tendency to gain weight increased (P-trend = 0.07). Daily breakfast decreased the chance of gaining 5 kg in women with BMI 18–24.9 m/kg2, (OR 0.86; CI 0.75, 0.99). In this group of women, the odds of gaining 5 kg in 3 years decreased as the weekly breakfast frequency increased (P-trend < 0.02). Women who consumed 5 meals a day gained 300 g more than women who consumed 3–4 meals a day (CI = .170 g, .480 g). Weight gain was greater as the number of meals per day increased (P-trend < .0001). Women who had 5 or more meals a day were 22% more likely gain 5 kg than women who had 3–4 meals a day (OR 1.22; CI 1.14, 1.31). This trend increased as the frequency of meals increased (P-trend < .0001). ConclusionsThe effect of breakfast is not clear, however it seems to have a protective role. The number of meals showed an important relationship with weight gain among Mexican women. Funding SourcesThis work was supported by the American Institute for Cancer Research, National Council of Science and Technology and Ministry of Health Mexico.