Breakfast consumption in low-income Hispanic elementary school-aged children : associations with metabolic, anthropometric, and dietary parameters

Objective: This study examined the associations of breakfast consumption (BC) with metabolic and anthropometric parameters and dietary intake in predominately low-income, Hispanic 3rd-5th grade students from sixteen elementary schools in Austin, TX. Methods: Cross-sectional, baseline data were used from a subsample of TX Sprouts, a school-based gardening, nutrition, and cooking randomized controlled trial in sixteen elementary schools in Austin, TX, targeting 3rd-5th grade students. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, body mass index, body fat percent via bioelectrical impedance, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Metabolic parameters included fasting plasma glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Dietary quality and breakfast consumption patterns were assessed via two 24-hour dietary recalls. Breakfast was defined as a meal consumed before 10AM, accounting for ≥15% of daily energy. Participants were stratified into breakfast consumption groups (BCG): breakfast skippers, no breakfast on both recall days; intermittent breakfast consumers, breakfast consumed on one of two recall days; and regular breakfast consumers, breakfast consumed on both recall days. Analysis of covariance was used to examine relationships between BCG and anthropometric and metabolic parameters and dietary intake, with a priori covariates including age, sex, race and ethnicity, free and reduced lunch status, and daily energy intake. Results: This study included 671 students (mean age 9y, 58% Hispanic, 54% female, 66% free/reduced Lunch, 17% breakfast skippers). No associations were observed between BCG and anthropometric or metabolic parameters. BC was associated with higher dietary quality, higher daily intake of protein and fiber, and lower daily intake of fat when compared to skipping. Skipping breakfast was associated with lower dietary quality, higher daily intake of fat, and lower daily intake of protein and fiber when compared to BC. However, BC was associated with higher daily intake of total and added sugars compared to skipping. Conclusion: While BC was associated with higher dietary quality compared to skipping, it was not robust in eliciting positive responses in anthropometric or metabolic outcomes. Research is warranted to examine the effects of BC and composition on anthropometric and metabolic outcomes. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02668744).Nutritional Science