Consumption of breakfast cereal is associated with positive health outcomes: evidence from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study.

The purpose of this study was to examine 3 possible explanations for the documented association between cereal consumption and positive health outcomes. The study design was a descriptive, longitudinal study known as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth Health Study. Data from annual 3-day food records were analyzed to answer study questions. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth Health Study recruited 2379 girls (1166 white and 1213 black), age 9 to 10 at baseline. Frequency of consumption of breakfast cereal; other types of foods eaten at breakfast; and macronutrients, micronutrients, beverages, and fruits and vegetables and physical activity were the main outcome measures. The association of type of breakfast (cereal breakfast vs breakfast without cereal) with the outcomes of interest was estimated using regression techniques. The major findings were (1) cereal consumed at breakfast provided more fiber, iron, folic acid, and zinc and less fat, sodium, sugar, and cholesterol, compared with the nutrients in foods eaten during noncereal breakfasts. The cereal consumed provided less protein, carbohydrates, and calcium, compared to foods consumed during noncereal breakfasts; (2) eating cereal for breakfast appeared to facilitate milk consumption (leading to increased calcium intake) and to displace fats/sweets, quick breads, soda, and meat/eggs as breakfast foods. Eating cereal at breakfast was associated with increased consumption of fiber and carbohydrates and decreased consumption of fats throughout the day; and (3) greater physical activity was also associated with cereal breakfast. In conclusion, cereal consumption as part of a healthy lifestyle may play a role in maintaining adequate nutrient intake and physical activity among girls.

The relationship of breakfast and cereal consumption to nutrient intake and body mass index: the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in breakfast and cereal consumption of girls between ages 9 and 19 years, and to examine the association of breakfast and cereal intake with body mass index (BMI) and consumption of nutrients. DESIGN: Data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study, a longitudinal biracial observational cohort study with annual 3-day food records. SUBJECTS/SETTING: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study recruited 2,379 girls (1,166 white and 1,213 black), ages 9 and 10 years at baseline, from locations in the Berkeley, CA; Cincinnati, OH; and Washington, DC, areas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of consumption of breakfast (including cereal vs other foods) and cereal; BMI; and dietary fat, fiber, calcium, cholesterol, iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and zinc. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Generalized estimating equations methodology was used to examine differences in the frequency of breakfast and cereal eating by age. Generalized estimating equations and mixed models were used to examine whether breakfast and cereal consumption were predictive of BMI and nutrient intakes, adjusting for potentially confounding variables. RESULTS: Frequency of breakfast and cereal consumption decreased with age. Days eating breakfast were associated with higher calcium and fiber intake in all models, regardless of adjustment variables. After adjusting for energy intake, cereal consumption was related to increased intake of fiber, calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and zinc, and decreased intake of fat and cholesterol. Days eating cereal was predictive of lower BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Cereal consumption as part of an overall healthful lifestyle may play a role in maintaining a healthful BMI and adequate nutrient intake among adolescent girls.

Ready-to-eat cereal consumption: its relationship with BMI and nutrient intake of children aged 4 to 12 years.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between ready-to-eat cereal consumption habits and body mass index of a sample of children aged 4 to 12 years. DESIGN: Fourteen-day self-reported food diary records were obtained from a sample of 2,000 American households from February 1998 through February 1999. Height and weight of the family members were also self-reported. SUBJECTS/SETTING: The sample population of 603 children, aged 4 to 12 years, was broken into tertiles based on cereal consumption over the 14 days: (three or fewer, four to seven, or eight or more servings). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Logistic regression and analysis of variance were used to determine associations between frequency of ready-to-eat cereal consumption and body mass index or nutrient intakes. RESULTS: More than 90% of children aged 4 to 12 years consumed ready-to-eat cereal at least once in the two-week collection period. Within tertiles of consumption, children in the upper tertile had lower mean body mass indexes than those in the lowest tertile consistently across all age groups (P<.01). Additionally, the proportion of children aged 4 to 12 years who were at risk for overweight/overweight was significantly lower in the upper tertile of cereal consumption (P<.05). Children in the upper tertile also had lower fat intakes and higher intakes of many micronutrients. APPLICATIONS: The consumption of ready-to-eat cereals at breakfast should be encouraged as a component of an eating pattern that promotes the maintenance of healthful body weights and nutrient intakes in children.

Nutrition Monitoring Application in the Food Industry.

Nutrition scientists in the food industry use nutrition monitoring data in a variety of ways that include developing nutrition communications for consumers and health professionals, guiding product development and reformulation, and applying research applications. Continuous nutrition monitoring is essential to influence positively the nutrient content of the food supply and meet the changing nutrition needs of the population. This article reviews food industry application of nutrient intake information and provides specific examples of use.