Breakfast Omission Research Articles

Breakfast consumption and exercise interact to affect appetite, cognitive performance and mood later in the day

The effects of consuming or omitting breakfast and exercise or rest on cognitive function, mood and appetite were assessed in twelve healthy male participants who completed four trials; no breakfast and rest, breakfast and rest, no breakfast and exercise or breakfast and exercise in a randomized cross-over design. The study design consisted; breakfast (or continued fast), a 2 h rest, an exercise (treadmill run at 60% VO 2 max to expend ∼710 kcal) or an equivalent rest period, a liquid snack, a 90 min rest period and finally an ad libitum lunch. Cognitive task performance, mood and appetite ratings and blood glucose were recorded frequently throughout each trial. Mental fatigue ratings were significantly higher when exercise was undertaken fasted rather than following breakfast. Consuming breakfast prior to resting significantly increased speed on a Rapid Visual Information Processing task (RVIP), an effect not seen when breakfast was followed by exercise. When fasted, exercise, compared to rest, suppressed hunger during exercise and temporarily after. Consuming breakfast prior to exercise enhanced this effect, with significantly lower hunger ratings seen in this condition compared to exercise following breakfast omission. In conclusion, consuming breakfast before exercise decreased mental fatigue ratings following cognitive task completion and exercise reversed the detrimental effects of breakfast consumption on RVIP reaction time. Although the results showing short term appetite suppression following exercise when fasted support previous research, it does appear that breakfast consumption prior to exercise may augment this outcome.

Eating patterns and type 2 diabetes risk in men: breakfast omission, eating frequency, and snacking

Little is known about the association between eating patterns and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk. The objective of this study was to prospectively examine associations between breakfast omission, eating frequency, snacking, and T2D risk in men. Eating patterns were assessed in 1992 in a cohort of 29,206 US men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study who were free of T2D, cardiovascular disease, and cancer and were followed for 16 y. We used Cox proportional hazards analysis to evaluate associations with incident T2D. We documented 1944 T2D cases during follow-up. After adjustment for known risk factors for T2D, including BMI, men who skipped breakfast had 21% higher risk of T2D than did men who consumed breakfast (RR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.35). Compared with men who ate 3 times/d, men who ate 1-2 times/d had a higher risk of T2D (RR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.45). These findings persisted after stratification by BMI or diet quality. Additional snacks beyond the 3 main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) were associated with increased T2D risk, but these associations were attenuated after adjustment for BMI. Breakfast omission was associated with an increased risk of T2D in men even after adjustment for BMI. A direct association between snacking between meals and T2D risk was mediated by BMI.

Breakfast glycaemic index and cognitive function in adolescent school children

It has been suggested that a low-glycaemic index (GI) breakfast may be beneficial for some elements of cognitive function (e.g. memory and attention), but the effects are not clear, especially in adolescents. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a low-GI breakfast, a high-GI breakfast and breakfast omission on cognitive function in adolescents. A total of fifty-two adolescents aged 12-14 years were recruited to participate in the study. Participants consumed a low-GI breakfast, a high-GI breakfast or omitted breakfast. A battery of cognitive function tests was completed 30 and 120 min following breakfast consumption and capillary blood samples were taken during the 120 min postprandial period. The findings show that there was a greater improvement in response times following a low-GI breakfast, compared with breakfast omission on the Stroop (P = 0·009) and Flanker (P = 0·041) tasks, and compared with a high-GI breakfast on the Sternberg paradigm (P = 0·013). Furthermore, accuracy on all three tests was better maintained on the low-GI trial compared with the high-GI (Stroop: P = 0·039; Sternberg: P = 0·018; Flanker: P = 0·014) and breakfast omission (Stroop: P < 0·001; Sternberg: P = 0·050; Flanker: P = 0·014) trials. Following the low-GI breakfast, participants displayed a lower glycaemic response (P < 0·001) than following the high-GI breakfast, but there was no difference in the insulinaemic response (P = 0·063) between the high- and low-GI breakfasts. Therefore, we conclude that a low-GI breakfast is most beneficial for adolescents' cognitive function, compared with a high-GI breakfast or breakfast omission.

Breakfast consumption and cognitive function in adolescent schoolchildren

This study examined the effects of breakfast consumption on cognitive function, mood and blood glucose concentration in adolescent schoolchildren.With the institution's ethical advisory committee approval, 96 adolescents (12 to 15years old) completed two randomly assigned trials (one following breakfast consumption and one following breakfast omission), scheduled 7days apart. Cognitive function tests (visual search test, Stroop test and Sternberg paradigm), a mood questionnaire and a finger prick blood sample (in a subgroup of 60 participants) were completed immediately following breakfast and 120min after the baseline measures.Following breakfast consumption, accuracy on the more complex level of the visual search test was higher than following breakfast omission (p=0.021). Similarly, accuracy on the Stroop test was better maintained across the morning following breakfast consumption when compared to breakfast omission (p=0.022). Furthermore, responses on the Sternberg paradigm were quicker later in the morning following breakfast consumption, particularly on the more complex levels (p=0.012). Breakfast consumption also produced higher self-report energy and fullness, lower self-report tiredness and hunger and higher blood glucose concentrations (all p<0.0005).Overall, the findings of the present study suggest that breakfast consumption enhances cognitive function in an adolescent population when compared to breakfast omission.

Effects of Eating Frequency, Snacking, and Breakfast Skipping on Energy Regulation: Symposium Overview ,

The ASN hosted a symposium entitled “Eating Patterns and Energy Balance: A Look at Eating Frequency, Snacking, and Breakfast Omission” at the Experimental Biology 2009 annual meeting on April 19, 2009, in New Orleans, LA. The symposium was chaired by Megan McCrory and co-chaired by Wayne Campbell, both from Purdue University. The goal of the symposium was to bring together experts to provide an overview of research on the potential role of eating patterns in the development of overweight and obesity. Studies on eating frequency, snacking, and breakfast skipping were highlighted. In particular, evidence both for and against their roles were discussed, methodological issues that underlie controversies were addressed, and suggested future directions for research were outlined. Appetite regulation and hormonal effects were also reviewed. Megan McCrory introduced the session then discussed studies on eating frequency and energy regulation in free-living adults consuming self-selected diets. Heather Leidy summarized the state of the research on eating frequency and energy regulation in adults from controlled feedings studies. Didier Chapelot discussed various usages of “snack” and argued for a physiological basis to distinguish snacks from meals. Mark Pereira presented information on the effects of breakfast skipping and the macronutrient composition of breakfast in energy regulation and mood. A panel discussion/question and answer session ended the symposium. The symposium was videotaped and can be viewed at www.nutrition.org.

Association of Breakfast Skipping With Visceral Fat and Insulin Indices in Overweight Latino Youth

Few studies have investigated the relationship between breakfast consumption and specific adiposity or insulin dynamics measures in children. The goal of this study is to determine whether breakfast consumption is associated with adiposity, specifically intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT), and insulin dynamics in overweight Latino youth. Participants were a cross-sectional sample of 93 overweight (> or =85th percentile BMI) Latino youth (10-17 years) with a positive family history of type 2 diabetes. Dietary intake was assessed by two 24-h recalls, IAAT, and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAAT) by magnetic resonance imaging, body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and insulin dynamics by a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test and minimal modeling. Participants were divided into three breakfast consumption categories: those who reported not eating breakfast on either day (breakfast skippers; n = 20), those who reported eating breakfast on one of two days (occasional breakfast eaters; n = 39) and those who ate breakfast on both days (breakfast eaters; n = 34). Using analyses of covariance, breakfast omission was associated with increased IAAT (P = 0.003) independent of age, Tanner, sex, total body fat, total body lean tissue mass, and daily energy intake. There were no significant differences in any other adiposity measure or in insulin dynamics between breakfast categories. Eating breakfast is associated with lower visceral adiposity in overweight Latino youth. Interventions focused on increasing breakfast consumption are warranted.

Effects Of Breakfast Omission And An Acute Bout Of Exercise On Serum Lipid Concentrations

Low-fat, high- fiber breakfast consumption may help lower serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol (TC) measurements as well as help control daily energy intake and insulin sensitivity while moderate exercise is an effective method for increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and decreasing triglyceride (TG) measurements. A combination of these treatments may help maintain optimal blood lipid levels and prevent heart disease. PURPOSE: To observe serum lipid changes immediately and 24 hr after breakfast or no breakfast treatments prior to a 30 min bout of aerobic exercise in middle aged males with no history of dyslipidemia. METHODS: Seven male subjects participated and ranged in age from 30 to 44 years old with an average VO2 peak of 38.66 ml·kg-1·min-1 + 6.09. Data were collected over three testing sessions. During session 1, subjects performed a VO2 peak test and baseline measurements were collected. During sessions 2 and 3, subjects consumed either a low-fat, high-fiber breakfast or no breakfast, both of which were followed by a 30 min bout of exercise at 60% of VO2peak. A fasting blood sample was collected prior to treatment and exercise. Samples were also collected immediately after exercise and 24 hr post exercise. Each subject also reported all dietary intake for 24 hr following both treatments. RESULTS: No significant (p >.05) differences between the breakfast and no breakfast treatments were found for TC, TG, HDL, and LDL when baseline measurements were compared to 24 hr post treatment and exercise measurements. TC, TG, and LDL values were slightly lower 24 hr post exercise than at baseline while HDL values were higher 24 hr after exercise than at baseline when breakfast was omitted. Between the two exercise sessions, no differences were found in 24 hr post exercise macronutrient or total caloric intake. No differences in exercise RER and VO2 were found between treatments. CONCLUSION: A low-fat, high-fiber breakfast in conjunction with 30 min of acute exercise were not sufficient to alter lipid concentrations. Breakfast omission and 30 min of moderate intensity exercise exhibited a trend towards lower cholesterol levels 24 hr post exercise and treatment.

Influence of breakfast on cognitive performance, appetite and mood in healthy young adults

The consumption of glucose or a carbohydrate-rich food has been associated with the facilitation of verbal short-term, spatial and long-term memory performance. The present study evaluated the effects of two different equi-caloric (300 kcal) breakfasts, and the omission of breakfast, on cognitive performance, mood and appetite across the morning. Participants (N=32) were non-smoking, unrestrained eaters between 18 and 22 years with normal body mass index (mean=22.2 kg/m2). Participants attended three test mornings with a week between each session. Memory, attention and reaction time was assessed before breakfast, shortly after breakfast and later in the morning. Subjective ratings of appetite and mood and measurements of blood glucose levels were taken periodically throughout the morning. The non-cereal breakfast produced a smaller increase in blood glucose which was sustained for longer compared to the cereal breakfast. The consumption of breakfast produced attenuation in the decline of cognitive performance, satiety and mood observed in the breakfast omission condition. In addition, short-term and delayed verbal memory was significantly enhanced following the non-cereal breakfast relative to the cereal breakfast. The non-cereal breakfast also heightened subjective ratings of mood in comparison to the cereal breakfast.

Effects of diet on behaviour and cognition in children

Diet can affect cognitive ability and behaviour in children and adolescents. Nutrient composition and meal pattern can exert immediate or long-term, beneficial or adverse effects. Beneficial effects mainly result from the correction of poor nutritional status. For example, thiamin treatment reverses aggressiveness in thiamin-deficient adolescents. Deleterious behavioural effects have been suggested; for example, sucrose and additives were once suspected to induce hyperactivity, but these effects have not been confirmed by rigorous investigations. In spite of potent biological mechanisms that protect brain activity from disruption, some cognitive functions appear sensitive to short-term variations of fuel (glucose) availability in certain brain areas. A glucose load, for example, acutely facilitates mental performance, particularly on demanding, long-duration tasks. The mechanism of this often described effect is not entirely clear. One aspect of diet that has elicited much research in young people is the intake/omission of breakfast. This has obvious relevance to school performance. While effects are inconsistent in well-nourished children, breakfast omission deteriorates mental performance in malnourished children. Even intelligence scores can be improved by micronutrient supplementation in children and adolescents with very poor dietary status. Overall, the literature suggests that good regular dietary habits are the best way to ensure optimal mental and behavioural performance at all times. Then, it remains controversial whether additional benefit can be gained from acute dietary manipulations. In contrast, children and adolescents with poor nutritional status are exposed to alterations of mental and/or behavioural functions that can be corrected, to a certain extent, by dietary measures.