Energy Intake at Breakfast and Weight Change: Prospective Study of 6,764 Middle-aged Men and Women

• Published in: American journal of epidemiology Vol. 167; no. 2; pp. 188 - 192
• Main Authors: Purslow, Lisa R., Sandhu, Manjinder S., Forouhi, Nita, Young, Elizabeth H., Luben, Robert N., Welch, Ailsa A., Khaw, Kay-Tee, Bingham, Sheila A., Wareham, Nicholas J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cary, NC Oxford University Press 15-01-2008; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Analysis. Health state; Biological and medical sciences; body mass index; Cohort Studies; Diet; Energy Intake - physiology; Epidemiology; feeding behavior; Female; Follow-Up Studies; food; General aspects; Humans; Life Style; Male; Meals; Medical research; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle age; Middle Aged; Obesity; Prospective Studies; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Socioeconomic Factors; Time Factors; United Kingdom - epidemiology; Weight control; weight gain; Weight Gain - physiology; United Kingdom; UK; body mass index; feeding behavior; prospective studies; weight gain; diet; food; obesity; Human; Obesity; Breakfast; Middle age; Feeding behavior; Body weight; Nutrition disorder; Sex; Male; Corporal biometry; Epidemiology; Weight gain; Feeding; Prospective; Body mass index; Diet; Female; Woman; Nutritional status; Food
• ISSN: 0002-9262; 1476-6256
• DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwm309

To investigate the association between percentage of total daily energy intake consumed at breakfast and weight change in middle-aged men and women, the authors analyzed data from a prospective population-based cohort study from Norfolk, United Kingdom. Participants were 6,764 men and women aged 40–75 years at baseline (1993–1997). Participants completed a 7-day food diary at baseline, and objective measurements of height and weight were carried out at baseline and follow-up (1998–2000). Mean baseline body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2) was lowest among persons in the highest quintile of percentage of daily energy consumed at breakfast (mean values were 26.0 in the highest quintile and 26.3 in the lowest quintile), despite higher daily total energy intake in this group. Although all participants gained weight, increased percentage of daily energy consumed at breakfast was associated with relatively lower weight gain (adjusted β coefficient = −0.021, 95% confidence interval: −0.035, −0.007; p = 0.004). The association between percentage of daily energy intake consumed at breakfast and weight gain was independent of age, sex, smoking, total energy intake, macronutrient intake, social class, and physical activity. Redistribution of daily energy intake, so that more energy is consumed at breakfast and less energy is consumed later in the day, may help to reduce weight gain in middle-aged adults.