title: Effects of breakfast eating and eating frequency on body mass index and weight loss outcomes in adults enrolled in an obesity treatment program.
abstract: This study examined the effects of breakfast eating and eating frequency on objectively assessed BMI and weight loss outcomes among adults enrolled in obesity treatment. Participants completed measures of breakfast eating and eating frequency before and after treatment and had their height and weight measured. Baseline breakfast eating and eating frequency were not associated with baseline BMI (p = .34, p = .45, respectively) and did not predict weight loss during treatment (p = .36, p = .58, respectively). From pre- to post-treatment, there was no significant change in eating frequency (p = .27) and changes in eating frequency had no impact on weight loss (r = -.08, p = .23). However, increases in breakfast eating during treatment were associated with significantly better weight loss outcomes (r = .26, p < .001). Among participants who increased breakfast eating, those who had either no change or a decrease in daily eating frequency were more likely to achieve a 5% weight loss compared to those who had an increase in daily eating frequency (p = .04). These results suggest that increasing breakfast eating, while simultaneously reducing or keeping eating frequency constant, may improve outcomes in obesity treatment. Experimental studies are needed to further elucidate these effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 358 Mansfield Road, Unit 1101, Storrs, CT, 06269-1101, USA.
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Megson
authors.affiliation: The Miriam Hospital/Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 196 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
authors.forename: Rena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wing
authors.affiliation: Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 358 Mansfield Road, Unit 1101, Storrs, CT, 06269-1101, USA. tricia.leahey@uconn.edu.
authors.forename: Tricia M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8134-3838
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Leahey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D062408:Breakfast; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: BMI; Breakfast; Eating frequency; Obesity treatment; Weight loss