Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

Maternal nutrition, infants and children

Comparison of dietary intakes according to breakfast choice in Australian boys

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 66, pages 667–672 (2012)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background:

There is little information on how breakfast choices are associated with dietary intakes in Australian boys.

Objective:

(i) To determine the proportion of breakfast skippers, ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) consumers and non-RTEC consumers at breakfast; (ii) to compare breakfast, and daily nutrient intakes and nutrient density, between the three groups; and (iii) to compare daily nutrient intakes against nutrient recommendations.

Subjects/Methods:

Cross-sectional analysis of 12 to 16-year-old boys (n=781) from the 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey.

Results:

Forty-two percent of boys consumed RTEC at breakfast; 38% did not consume RTECs; and 20% skipped breakfast. Breakfast skippers had a higher body mass index and waist circumference compared with RTEC consumers (P⩽0.05). At breakfast, RTEC consumers had a higher intake of total sugars and a lower intake of fat and sodium versus non-RTEC consumers. Total daily nutrient density for calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, zinc, dietary folate equivalents, magnesium and iodine was higher for RTEC consumers versus non-RTEC consumers and breakfast skippers (all P⩽0.05). Fifty-nine percent of 14 to 16-year-old RTEC consumers reached the fibre adequate intake versus 34% and 24% of non-RTEC consumers and breakfast skippers, respectively (all P⩽0.01). More RTEC consumers met the calcium estimated average requirements versus non-RTEC consumers and breakfast skippers (P⩽0.01).

Conclusions:

Breakfast choice, specifically RTECs and the foods consumed with them, provide valuable nutrients that may assist boys in meeting nutrient requirements. Consumption of RTECs may be one way in which intakes of key nutrients, relevant for growth and development, could be increased in older boys.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Albertson AM, Anderson GH, Crockett SJ, Goebel MT . Ready-to-eat cereal consumption: its relationship with BMI and nutrient intake of children aged 4 to 12 years. J Am Diet Assoc 2003; 103, 1613–1619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Albertson AM, Thompson D, Franko DL, Kleinman RE, Barton BA, Crockett SJ . Consumption of breakfast cereal is associated with positive health outcomes: evidence from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study. Nutr Res 2008; 28, 744–752.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Galvin MA, Kiely M, Flynn A . Impact of ready-to-eat breakfast cereal (RTEBC) consumption on adequacy of micronutrient intakes and compliance with dietary recommendations in Irish adults. Public Health Nutr 2003; 6, 351–363.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Song WO, Chun OK, Kerver J, Cho S, Chung CE, Chung SJ . Ready-to-eat breakfast cereal consumption enhances milk and calcium intake in the US population. J Am Diet Assoc 2006; 106, 1783–1789.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Deshmukh-Taskar PR, Nicklas TA, O’Neil CE, Keast DR, Radcliffe JD, Cho S . The relationship of breakfast skipping and type of breakfast consumption with nutrient intake and weight status in children and adolescents: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2006. J Am Diet Assoc 2010; 110, 869–878.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Cho S, Dietrich M, Brown CJ, Clark CA, Block G . The effect of breakfast type on total daily energy intake and body mass index: results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). J Am Coll Nutr 2003; 22, 296–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Alexy U, Wicher M, Kersting M . Breakfast trends in children and adolescents: frequency and quality. Public Health Nutr 2010; 13, 1795–1802.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bruening M, Larson N, Story M, Neumark-Sztainer D, Hannan P . Predictors of adolescent breakfast consumption: longitudinal findings from project EAT. J Nutr Educ Behav 2011; 43, 390–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Keski-Rahkonen A, Kaprio J, Rissanen A, Virkkunen M, Rose RJ . Breakfast skipping and health-compromising behaviors in adolescents and adults. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003; 57, 842–853.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Smith KJ, Gall SL, McNaughton SA, Blizzard L, Dwyer T, Venn AJ . Skipping breakfast: longitudinal associations with cardiometabolic risk factors in the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2010; 92, 1316–1325.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Franko DL, Albertson AM, Thompson DR, Barton BA . Cereal consumption and indicators of cardiovascular risk in adolescent girls. Public Health Nutr 2011; 14, 584–590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Barton BA, Eldridge AL, Thompson D, Affenito SG, Striegel-Moore RH, Franko DL et al. The relationship of breakfast and cereal consumption to nutrient intake and body mass index: the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study. J Am Diet Assoc 2005; 105, 1383–1389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Preziosi P, Galan P, Deheeger M, Yacoub N, Drewnowski A, Hercberg S . Breakfast type, daily nutrient intakes and vitamin and mineral status of French children, adolescents, and adults. J Am Coll Nutr 1999; 18, 171–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Utter J, Scragg R, Mhurchu CN, Schaaf D . At-home breakfast consumption among New Zealand children: associations with body mass index and related nutrition behaviors. J Am Diet Assoc 2007; 107, 570–576.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Albertson AM, Affenito SG, Bauserman R, Holschuh NM, Eldridge AL, Barton BA . The relationship of ready-to-eat cereal consumption to nutrient intake, blood lipids, and body mass index of children as they age through adolescence. J Am Diet Assoc 2009; 109, 1557–1565.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Kosti RI, Panagiotakos DB, Zampelas A, Mihas C, Alevizos A, Leonard C et al. The association between consumption of breakfast cereals and BMI in schoolchildren aged 12–17 years: the VYRONAS study. Public Health Nutr 2008; 11, 1015–1021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Panagiotakos DB, Antonogeorgos G, Papadimitriou A, Anthracopoulos MB, Papadopoulos M, Konstantinidou M et al. Breakfast cereal is associated with a lower prevalence of obesity among 10–12-year-old children: the PANACEA study. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2008; 18, 606–612.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Boutelle K, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Resnick M . Weight control behaviors among obese, overweight, and nonoverweight adolescents. J Pediatr Psychol 2002; 27, 531–540.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Ortega RM, Requejo AM, Lopez-Sobaler AM, Quintas ME, Andres P, Redondo MR et al. Difference in the breakfast habits of overweight/obese and normal weight schoolchildren. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 1998; 68, 125–132.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Wolfe WS, Campbell CC, Frongillo Jr EA, Haas JD, Melnik TA . Overweight schoolchildren in New York State: prevalence and characteristics. Am J Public Health 1994; 84, 807–813.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Pearson N, MacFarlane A, Crawford D, Biddle SJ . Family circumstance and adolescent dietary behaviours. Appetite 2009; 52, 668–674.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Shaw ME . Adolescent breakfast skipping: an Australian study. Adolescence 1998; 33, 851–861.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Affenito SG, Thompson DR, Barton BA, Franko DL, Daniels SR, Obarzanek E et al. Breakfast consumption by African-American and white adolescent girls correlates positively with calcium and fiber intake and negatively with body mass index. J Am Diet Assoc 2005; 105, 938–945.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Albertson AM, Franko DL, Thompson D, Eldridge AL, Holschuh N, Affenito SG et al. Longitudinal patterns of breakfast eating in Black and White adolescent girls. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2007; 15, 2282–2292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Department of Health and Ageing. 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey: Main Findings Report/Prepared by the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Preventative Health National Research Flagship, and the University of South Australia. ACT: Canberra, 2007. Available at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/66596E8FC68FD1A3CA2574D50027DB86/$File/childrens-nut-phys-survey.pdf. Accessed 14 June 2011, 2007.

  26. Magarey A, Boulton J . The Adelaide Nutrition Study. 2. Macronutrient and micronutrient intakes at ages 11, 13 and 15 years: age and sex differences. Aust J Nutr Diet 1994; 51, 111–119.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Robson PJ, Gallagher AM, Livingstone MB, Cran GW, Strain JJ, Savage JM et al. Tracking of nutrient intakes in adolescence: the experiences of the Young Hearts Project, Northern Ireland. Br J Nutr 2000; 84, 541–548.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. National Health and Medical Research Council. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand. Department of Health and Ageing. Available at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/file/publications/synopses/n35.pdf. Accessed 19 June 2011.

  29. Magarey AM, Daniels LA, Boulton TJ . Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australian children and adolescents: reassessment of 1985 and 1995 data against new standard international definitions. Med J Aust 2001; 174, 561–564.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Williams P . Breakfast and the diets of Australian children and adolescents: an analysis of data from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2007; 58, 201–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Grieger JA, Scott J, Cobiac L . Dietary patterns and breast-feeding in Australian children. Public Health Nutr 2011; 14, 1939–1947.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Williams PG . What Australians eat for breakfast: an analysis of data from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey. Nutr Diet 2002; 59, 103–112.

    Google Scholar 

  33. O’Dea J, Abraham S, Heard R . Food habits, body image and weight control practices of young male and female adolescents. Aust J Nutr Diet 1996; 53, 32–38.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Gibson SA, O’Sullivan KR . Breakfast cereal consumption patterns and nutrient intakes of British schoolchildren. J R Soc Health 1995; 115, 366–370.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Szajewska H, Ruszczynski M . Systematic review demonstrating that breakfast consumption influences body weight outcomes in children and adolescents in Europe. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2010; 50, 113–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. de Castro JM . When, how much and what foods are eaten are related to total daily food intake. Br J Nutr 2009; 102, 1228–1237.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Berteus Forslund H, Lindroos AK, Sjostrom L, Lissner L . Meal patterns and obesity in Swedish women—a simple instrument describing usual meal types, frequency and temporal distribution. Eur J Clin Nutr 2002; 56, 740–747.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Thompson OM, Ballew C, Resnicow K, Gillespie C, Must A, Bandini LG et al. Dietary pattern as a predictor of change in BMI z-score among girls. Int J Obes (Lond) 2006; 30, 176–182.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Gibson S . Trends in energy and sugar intakes and body mass index between 1983 and 1997 among children in Great Britain. J Hum Nutr Diet 2010; 23, 371–381.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Albertson AM, Thompson DR, Franko DL, Holschuh NM . Weight indicators and nutrient intake in children and adolescents do not vary by sugar content in ready-to-eat cereal: results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2006. Nutr Res 2011; 31, 229–236.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Rangan A, Flood VM, Gill TP . Misreporting of energy intake in the 2007 Australian Children's Survey: identification, characteristics and impact of misreporters. Nutrients 2011; 3, 186–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by Kellogg Australia. M Celander from Kellogg Australia assisted with devising the overall aims of the analyses and reading the final drafts of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Level 7E, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA, Australia

    J A Grieger & L Cobiac

  2. CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    L Cobiac

Authors
  1. J A Grieger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. L Cobiac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J A Grieger.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Grieger, J., Cobiac, L. Comparison of dietary intakes according to breakfast choice in Australian boys. Eur J Clin Nutr 66, 667–672 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.220

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.220

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links