Skipping breakfast increases the risk of obesity in children. According to a latest study, children who do not eat breakfast have a 43% higher risk of obesity than those who do have this habit.
Obesity and breakfast? ABOUT THE STUDY:
This is clear from the studies by Ardeshirlarijani, which includes the review “Role of breakfast and its quality in the health of children and adolescents in Spain”. Powered by the Danone Institute.
Some researchers suggest that although this food supposes a caloric intake that would not be made if it were eliminated. Breakfast helps reduce energy intake for the rest of the day.
Is breakfast a direct cause of effects on weight?
Experts have also suggested that consuming energy for breakfast could prevent weight gain because calories are more efficiently metabolized early in the morning.
“It cannot be determined if breakfast is a direct cause of effects on the weight of children and adolescents. Some studies show that those who skip breakfast also have less healthy eating habits in general and are more sedentary, which may explain the relationship between weight and breakfast ”. Says Dr. Luis Moreno Aznar, member of the Danone Institute and one of the authors of the review.
Many children eat breakfast, few do it properly
Eating breakfast is a deeply ingrained habit among Spanish children, 93% of them eat breakfast daily according to the ANIBES study.
However, according to other research, ALADDIN, only 2.8% do it adequately. That is, incorporating the three essential food groups: dairy, cereals and fruits.
According to this research, almost half of the children (49.7%) eat dairy for breakfast, mainly milk or yogurt. This is combined with a food from the cereal group such as cookies, bread, or breakfast cereals.
The importance of caloric intake
Specialists point out that another aspect that makes a healthy breakfast is its caloric intake. It is advisable that this meal covers 20% of the daily energy requirements.
Also, as a general rule, avoid high-calorie, low-nutrient-dense foods that simply provide calories, fat, sodium, or sugar.
Children / adolescents who did not eat breakfast were overweight
In the scientific review “The role of breakfast and its quality in the health of children and adolescents in Spain”, published in the journal Nutrición Hospitalaria. Several reviews of epidemiological studies in a child-adolescent population are collected that show an inverse relationship between the consumption of breakfast and the prevalence and incidence of overweight / obesity.
As, for example, in that of Monzani et al where it is evidenced that the majority of children / adolescents who did not eat breakfast were overweight or obese and that not eating breakfast was associated with a worse cardiometabolic profile.
In addition, in Spain studies such as ALADINO show that the habit of eating breakfast daily is lower in children with more weight and HELENA according to which adolescents who ate breakfast regularly had lower values of different obesity markers.
Related Notes:
COVID ‘nightmare’ is coming in the following months according to experts
Coahuila, first state to vaccinate against COVID to minors between 12 and 17 years old
What Makes Vaccinated People More Prone to Serious COVID-19 Infections?