Breakfast type, daily nutrient intakes and vitamin and mineral status of French children, adolescents, and adults.
OBJECTIVE
To examine associations between the consumption of different types of breakfasts, dietary intakes, and selected indices of nutritional status.


METHODS
Dietary intakes were obtained using the dietary history method, and serum bioassays were used to assess vitamin and mineral status in a representative community-based sample of 1108 French children (ages 2 to 10 years), adolescents (ages 10 to 18 years), and adults (ages 18 to 65 years). Breakfasts were divided into three categories: low-energy (<15% of the energy RDA), medium-energy (15-25%) and high-energy (>25%).


RESULTS
High-energy breakfasts were associated with the consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals. High-energy breakfasts and cereal consumption, both more common among children and adolescents than among adults, were also associated with a greater proportion of daily energy from carbohydrate and lower proportion of energy from fat. High-energy breakfasts and cereal consumption were further associated with higher intakes of vitamins and minerals as measured by percent RDAs. High-energy breakfasts and cereal consumption were associated with lower serum cholesterols and improved biochemical indices of nutritional status. Serum concentrations of vitamin B1 (in children and adolescents), vitamin B2 and beta-carotene (in adults) were significantly linked to the level of energy provided by breakfast.


CONCLUSIONS
The consumption of breakfast cereals appears to have a positive impact on nutritional status regardless of age.
Preziosi
P
P
Institut Scientifique et Technique de la Nutrition et de l'Alimentation, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Paris, France.
Galan
P
P
Deheeger
M
M
Yacoub
N
N
Drewnowski
A
A
Hercberg
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002523:Edible Grain; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000097:blood; D013831:Thiamine / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood
D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins; D019207:beta Carotene; D012256:Riboflavin; D013831:Thiamine