The contribution of ready-to-eat cereals to daily nutrient intake and breakfast quality in a Mediterranean setting.
OBJECTIVE
To examine if and how ready-to-eat cereals (RTEC) contribute to the quality of the diet of children, adolescents and young adults in a Mediterranean setting.


METHODS
A random sample of 3534 subjects aged 2 to 24 years in Spain was studied. Food and nutrient intakes were determined by a 24 hour recall. RTEC consumption was assessed by a quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Additional questions on socioeconomic level and nutritional knowledge were administered. Cereal consumption was classified into non-consumers and daily intakes between 1 and 20g, 21 and 40g, and more than 40g. After excluding the underreporters the final sample consisted of 2852 individuals.


RESULTS
About half of the population (49.8%) reported eating RTEC. Macronutrient profile improved with increasing cereal consumption. Intakes of thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin B6 increased significantly with increasing consumption of RTEC in all age-sex groups, whereas niacin and folate intake improved in almost all groups and calcium, iron and vitamin D in at least half of the groups. Except for magnesium, vitamin B12 and vitamin E in males, consumption of RTEC was significantly associated with increased coverage of the daily nutrient requirements for all micronutrients studied. Higher levels of RTEC consumption was associated with a greater consumption of dairy products, and related to better breakfast quality.


CONCLUSIONS
Level of RTEC consumption is associated with a better nutritional profile in the diets of Spanish children, adolescents and young adults and a lower risk for inadequate micronutrient intakes. RTEC consumers have better quality breakfasts, in terms of both food choices as well as energy and nutrient content.
Community Nutrition Research Centre, University of Barcelona Science Park, Barcelona, Spain.
Anneke
A
van den Boom
Lluís
L
Serra-Majem
Lourdes
L
Ribas
Joy
J
Ngo
Carmen
C
Pérez-Rodrigo
Javier
J
Aranceta
Reginald
R
Fletcher
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002523:Edible Grain; D004522:Educational Status; D002149:Energy Intake; D005511:Food Handling; D006801:Humans; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D018977:Micronutrients