Association of breakfast consumption with body mass index and prevalence of overweight/obesity in a nationally-representative survey of Canadian adults

Abstract

BackgroundThis study examined the association of breakfast consumption, and the type of breakfast consumed, with body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) and prevalence rates and odds ratios (OR) of overweight/obesity among Canadian adults. These associations were examined by age group and sex.MethodsWe used data from non-pregnant, non-lactating participants aged ≥ 18 years (n = 12,377) in the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 2.2, a population-based, nationally-representative, cross-sectional study. Height and weight were measured, and BMI was calculated. Breakfast consumption was self-reported during a standardized 24-h recall; individuals were classified as breakfast non-consumers, consumers of breakfasts that included ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) or as other breakfast consumers. Mean BMI and prevalence and OR of overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25) were compared among breakfast groups, with adjustment for sociodemographic variables (including age, sex, race, marital status, food security, language spoken at home, physical activity category, smoking, education level and supplement use).ResultsFor the entire sample, mean BMI was significantly lower among RTEC-breakfast consumers than other breakfast consumers (mean ± SE 26.5 ± 0.2 vs. 27.1 ± 0.1 kg/m2), but neither group differed significantly from breakfast non-consumers (27.1 ± 0.3 kg/m2). Similar results were seen in women only, but BMI of men did not differ by breakfast category. Overweight/obesity prevalence and OR did not differ among breakfast groups for the entire sample or for all men and women separately. When examined by sex and age group, differences were inconsistent, but tended to be more apparent in women than men.ConclusionAmong Canadian adults, breakfast consumption was not consistently associated with differences in BMI or overweight/obesity prevalence.

Breakfast habits and differences regarding abdominal obesity in a cross-sectional study in Spanish adults: The ANIBES study

“…On the other hand, the percentage of breakfast consumers in our study who reported smoking (43.3% and 32.6% in adults who ate breakfast “sometimes” and “always”, respectively) was lower than the proportion of smokers in the breakfast nonconsumers group (50.8%) (p<0.05). This is in agreement with other studies that had reported that breakfast skippers are more likely to have unhealthier habits, such smoking, than breakfast consumers [ 8 , 42 ]. In fact, it has been suggested that breakfast consumption may serve as a marker for a healthier lifestyle [ 34 , 43 ].…”

Skipping breakfast and 5-year changes in body mass index and waist circumference in Japanese men and women

“…Similarly, some prospective studies also showed that skipping breakfast is associated with a higher risk of body weight gain and incidence of obesity in US subjects . However, reports of Canadian adults show that skipping breakfast is not associated with prevalence of obesity . The differences may be due to the cultural differences among countries.…”

“…However, the association between skipping breakfast and obesity is controversial in adults. Some studies from the USA and Asia‐Pacific regions have shown that skipping breakfast is associated with obesity, whereas skipping breakfast has not been associated with the prevalence of obesity in Canadian adults . One of the reasons for these differences may be the cultural diversity across countries.…”

Examining Predictors of Breakfast Skipping and Breakfast Program Use Among Secondary School Students in the COMPASS Study

“…Breakfast is often touted as the most important meal of the day. While the evidence is less consistent for adult populations, the value of a healthy morning meal among youth is widely acknowledged. Regular breakfast consumption is associated with many positive outcomes for children and adolescents, including enhanced cognitive performance and learning‐related outcomes, improved diet quality (although this outcome likely depends on meal composition), increased physical activity levels, and positive psychosocial functioning .…”