A three-component Breakfast Quality Score (BQS) to evaluate the nutrient density of breakfast meals

Abstract

BackgroundNutrient profiling methods can be applied to individual foods or to composite meals. This article introduces a new method to assess the nutrient density of breakfast meals.ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop a new breakfast quality score (BQS), based on the nutrient standards previously published by the International Breakfast Research Initiative (IBRI) consortium.MethodsBQS was composed of three sub-scores derived from the weighted arithmetic mean of corresponding nutrient adequacy: an eLIMf sub-score (energy, saturated fat, free sugars, and sodium), a PF (protein and fiber) sub-score, and a VMn1 − 14 micronutrient sub-score, where n varied from 0 to 14. The effects of assigning different weights to the eLIMf, PF, and VMn were explored in four alternative models. The micronutrients were calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and vitamin D. Micronutrient permutations were used to develop alternate VMn1 − 14 sub-scores. The breakfast database used in this study came from all breakfasts declared as consumed by adults (>18 years old) in the French dietary survey INCA3. All models were tested with respect to the Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF9.3). BQS sensitivity was tested using three prototype French breakfasts, for which improvements were made.ResultsThe correlations of the models with NRF9.3 improved when the VMn>3 sub-score (n > 3) was included alongside the PF and eLIMf sub-scores. The model with (PF+VMn) and eLIMf each accounting for 50% of the total score showed the highest correlations with NRF9.3 and was the preferred final score (i.e., BQS). BQS was sensitive to the changing quality of three prototype breakfasts defined as tartine, sandwich, and cereal.ConclusionThe proposed BQS was shown to valuably rank the nutritional density of breakfast meals against a set of nutrient recommendations. It includes nutrients to limit along with protein, fiber, and a variable number of micronutrients to encourage. The flexible VMn sub-score allows for the evaluation of breakfast quality even when nutrient composition data are limited.

Evaluation of the nutritional quality of French children breakfasts according to the Breakfast Quality Score (BQS)

“…Similar to the previously published data for adults ( 20 ), the distribution of BQS values exhibited a normal shape. Spearman correlation ( r = 0.53) with NRF was also close to the correlation among adults ( r = 0.55) ( 20 ).…”

“…Similar to the previously published data for adults ( 20 ), the distribution of BQS values exhibited a normal shape. Spearman correlation ( r = 0.53) with NRF was also close to the correlation among adults ( r = 0.55) ( 20 ). Comparisons between tertiles also yielded significant results, indicating that the amount of nutrients and foods to encourage increased with a higher BQS while the amount of nutrients and foods to be limited decreased.…”

“…The BQS has been described in detail elsewhere ( 20 ). The BQS is composed of three subscores derived from the weighted arithmetic mean of corresponding nutrient adequacy: n subscore called “eLIMf” based on energy, saturated fat, free sugars, and sodium adequacies, a subscore called “PF” based on protein and fiber adequacies, and a subscore called “VM” based on 14 vitamins and minerals adequacies.…”

“…The IBRI targets, developed for both adults and children, were based on actual consumption levels during breakfast and on overall nutrient adequacy in the US, Canada, France, Spain, the UK and Denmark ( 19 ). To simplify the extensive list of nutrient-based IBRI recommendations, an overall breakfast quality score (BQS) has been developed ( 20 ). The proposed BQS incorporates nutrients to limit as well as protein, fiber, and various essential micronutrients to encourage, offering a comprehensive assessment of breakfast quality.…”

“…The proposed BQS incorporates nutrients to limit as well as protein, fiber, and various essential micronutrients to encourage, offering a comprehensive assessment of breakfast quality. Although the BQS effectively ranks the nutritional density of adult breakfasts against IBRI recommendations ( 20 ), its application to children and adolescents remains untested.…”