Breakfast and the diets of Australian adults: an analysis of data from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey

The aim of this study was to describe the nutrients provided to Australian adults by the breakfast meal and to compare the food and nutrient intakes and health of regular breakfast eaters and breakfast skippers. The Australian Bureau of Statistics was commissioned to undertake additional analysis of data collected in the 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey (NNS). The survey included 24-h recalls, physical measurements and a food habits questionnaire collected during the period February 1995-March 1996, with a nationally representative sample of 10,851 Australians aged 19 years and older. The median nutrient intakes at breakfast and the proportion of the daily total contributed by breakfast were calculated. Differences between regular breakfast eaters and breakfast skippers in terms of nutrient intake, body mass index and health status were compared using Student t-tests. The findings show the typical Australian breakfast was low in fat, high in carbohydrate and a good source of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium and magnesium. In the NNS regular breakfast eaters had more adequate diets overall, particularly those aged 65+ years. People who did not eat breakfast cereal were much more likely to have inadequate nutrient intakes, especially of thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium and iron. Regular breakfast eaters were more likely to rate their health as excellent or good than those who skip breakfast, but there was no difference between the fat intake or the body mass index of regular breakfast eaters compared with breakfast skippers. Regular breakfast consumption is associated with better diets for adults overall.     

Breakfast and the diets of Australian adults: An analysis of data from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey

The aim of this study was to describe the nutrients provided to Australian adults by the breakfast meal and to compare the food and nutrient intakes and health of regular breakfast eaters and breakfast skippers. The Australian Bureau of Statistics was commissioned to undertake additional analysis of data collected in the 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey (NNS). The survey included 24-h recalls, physical measurements and a food habits questionnaire collected during the period February 1995–March 1996, with a nationally representative sample of 10,851 Australians aged 19 years and older. The median nutrient intakes at breakfast and the proportion of the daily total contributed by breakfast were calculated. Differences between regular breakfast eaters and breakfast skippers in terms of nutrient intake, body mass index and health status were compared using Student t-tests. The findings show the typical Australian breakfast was low in fat, high in carbohydrate and a good source of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium and magnesium. In the NNS regular breakfast eaters had more adequate diets overall, particularly those aged 65+ years. People who did not eat breakfast cereal were much more likely to have inadequate nutrient intakes, especially of thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium and iron. Regular breakfast eaters were more likely to rate their health as excellent or good than those who skip breakfast, but there was no difference between the fat intake or the body mass index of regular breakfast eaters compared with breakfast skippers. Regular breakfast consumption is associated with better diets for adults overall.     

中国中小学生早餐营养素摄入量

目的：了解中国中小学生早餐营养素摄入量。方法：早用1992年全国营养调查中的住户调查及连续3d24h回顾法膳食调查资料，对中国17719名中小学生早餐能量和营养素摄入量进行分析。结果：中国中小学生早餐蛋白质、钙、锌、硒、视黄醇当量、硫胺素、核黄素等营养素摄入量均未达到RDA的25％，其中钙、视黄醇当量和核黄素等摄入量严重不足，仅为RDA的10％左右，中小学生早餐来自蛋白质、脂肪和碳水化合物的能量比例不当。比较来看，小学生早餐蛋白质、脂肪、钙、铁、锌、硒、硫胺素、核黄素和烟酸等摄入量占RDA百分比明显高于中学生。男生早餐蛋白质、铁、锌、硒、视黄醇当量和烟酸等摄入量占RDA百分比稍高于女生。乡村学生早餐能量、蛋白质、碳水化合物、钙、铁、锌、视黄醇当量、硫胺素、烟酸及抗坏血酸等摄入量占RDA百分比高于城市学生，脂肪、硒和核黄素摄入量低于城市学生。结论：乡村中小学生早餐平均能量和营养素摄入量好于城市中小学生，但城乡中小学生早餐营养素摄入状况均有待改善。     

The contribution of breakfast to micronutrient adequacy of the Irish diet

A 7-day diet history was completed by 1213 subjects in Ireland between the ages of 8 and 80 years. Subjects were divided into breakfast skippers, cereal eaters or non-cereal eaters.
Ninety-seven per cent of the population ate breakfast. Sixty-eight per cent were breakfast-cereal consumers and of these 62% ate breakfast six to seven times per week. The contribution which breakfast cereal makes to the total daily nutrient intake was calculated for males and females separately, and also for the two age-groups 8–18 years and >18 years. Iron intakes were lower than the RNI for all females but cereal consumers appeared more likely to achieve their RNI than breakfast skippers and non-cereal consumers. Breakfast-cereal consumers had significantly higher intakes of vitamins B, B₁₂, niacin, folate, B₁₂, vitamin D, calcium and iron. For females not consuming a breakfast cereal, mean nutrient intakes of folate and calcium were lower than the RNI. From this study, it appears that breakfast cereal consumption makes a significant contribution to nutrient intake in the Irish diet.     

早餐频次对我国中小学生能量和营养素摄入的影响

目的 了解早餐频次对中小学生能量和营养素的摄入。方法 利用1992年全国营养调查资料，分析17719名中小学生早餐频次对能量和营养素摄入的影响。结果 每天吃早餐组平均每天能量，蛋白质，钙，铁，锌，硒，视黄醇，硫胺素和核黄素等营养素摄入量占RDA的百分比明显高于不吃早餐组，也高于每天平均不到1次的早餐组，随着吃早餐次数的增加，营养素摄入量占RDA的百分比增加，不吃早餐的中小学生，尤其是农村不吃早餐组平均每天能量，蛋白质，钙，铁，锌，硒，视黄醇当量，硫胺素和核黄素等营养素摄入量占RDA不吃早餐的中小学生，尤其是农村不吃早餐组平均每天能量，蛋白质、钙、铁、锌，硒，视黄醇当量，硫胺素和核黄素等营养素摄入量占RDA的百分比明显低于每天吃早餐组，结论 不吃早餐可以引起全天能量和营养素的摄入不足，每天吃早餐中小学生的能量和营养素摄入比较充足。     

The role of breakfast in nutrient intake of 5- to 12-year-old children

From 7-day food diaries of a cross-sectional sample of American children (n = 657), breakfast consumption patterns were assessed and related to average daily nutrient intake patterns. Results indicated that few of the children skipped breakfast and that breakfast consumption made a significant contribution to the average child's daily nutrient intake. Further, children who had ready-to-eat cereals at breakfast three or more times during the 1-wk period were found to have consumed significantly less (p less than 0.001) fat and cholesterol and significantly more (p less than 0.001) fiber, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, iron, folacin, pyridoxine, and vitamins B12, A and D than those who had no ready-to-eat cereal at breakfast. Average total daily intakes of the same groups had fewer significant differences. Comparison of the average nutrient composition of the three types of consumed breakfasts revealed that the average breakfast containing presweetened or nonsweetened ready-to-eat cereal had a higher content of sixteen nutrients and a lower content of five nutrients than did the average breakfast including no ready-to-eat cereal.     

Eating breakfast and its impact on children's daily diet

Objective: To describe the impact of breakfast eating on the nutrient intakes of New Zealand children aged 5–14 years. Design: Secondary data analysis of a cross‐sectional national survey. Subjects: A total of 3275 children aged 5–14 years. Setting: Dietary data were collected primarily in the homes of the children. Main outcome measures: ‘Breakfast consumption’ was based on whether any food items were consumed between 6 and 9 a.m. from 24‐hour diet recall data. Nutrient intake was also based on 24‐hour diet recall. Data analyses: Demographic profile of breakfast eaters was determined. Difference in daily nutrient intakes between breakfast and non‐breakfast eaters was determined. Results: In total, 84% of New Zealand children reported eating breakfast. Younger children were more likely to eat breakfast than older children. Breakfast habits differed between Māori, Pacific and ‘New Zealand European & Others’ children. When intakes were adjusted for the demographic variables that significantly affected breakfast consumption patterns, daily nutrient intake of children who ate breakfast compared with those who did not, was significantly better. This was true for all ethnic groups. Cereal (including cold, ready‐to‐eat and cooked) was the most common breakfast food. Conclusion: Although the majority of New Zealand children consume breakfast, a significant improvement in daily nutrient intake could be achieved for children of all ethnic groups who currently do not consume breakfast.     

Appalachian adolescents' eating patterns and nutrient intakes

Meal and snack patterns of 114 male and 111 female adolescents in a southern Appalachian state were examined from 24-hour food records kept on a school day. Breakfast was skipped by 34% of the respondents, and 27% either skipped lunch or ate a snack-type lunch. The evening meal and snacks, each of which contributed about one-third of the daily energy intake, were eaten by 94% and 89%, respectively. Girls' mean intakes of vitamin A, calcium, and iron were low at all eating occasions throughout the day. Boys' mean intakes of iron were low at breakfast, lunch, and snacks; their vitamin A intakes were low at lunch and snacks. Adolescents who prepared their own breakfasts consumed less energy, protein, fat, and niacin at that meal than did adolescents who ate breakfasts prepared by their mothers. However, adolescent-prepared breakfasts were higher in nutrient density for calcium, riboflavin, and thiamin. Evening meals prepared by adolescents were similar in total nutrient content to meals prepared by their mothers but lower in nutrient density for iron and thiamin. Evening meals prepared by adolescents were more likely to include a sandwich and less likely to include a vegetable than were meals prepared by mothers.     

Dietary intake of Australian smokers and nonsmokers

Abstract: The 1983 National Dietary Survey of Adults and the 1983 Risk Factor Prevalence Survey No. 2, conducted on the same subjects, provided an opportunity to examine the nutrient intakes of smokers (1024 men and 785 women) and nonsmokers (1974 men and 2421 women). The nutrients analysed were energy (kJ); fat (g/day and contribution to energy); starch (contribution to energy); dietary fibre (g/day and g/1000 kJ); alcohol (g/1000 kJ); polyunsaturated/saturated fats ratio; cholesterol, niacin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium (mg/1000 kJ); and vitamin A, thiamin and riboflavin ((μg/1000 kJ). For both men and women, nonsmokers have a significantly higher intake of starch, dietary fibre (g/day and g/1000 kJ), thiamin, vitamin C, calcium and magnesium than smokers, who have a significantly higher intake of alcohol. Male smokers also have a higher intake of energy and cholesterol, but a lower intake of riboflavin, than nonsmokers. These differences in nutrient intakes suggest that non–smokers consume a more nutritious diet than smokers, in regard to having a higher intake of fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals and milk and milk products. There is a highly statistically significant association between smoking status and hazardous intake of alcohol. Both men and women who smoke have a significantly lower body mass index (BMI), than nonsmokers or ex–smokers.     

The Relationship of Breakfast Skipping and Type of Breakfast Consumption with Nutrient Intake and Weight Status in Children and Adolescents: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006

Background

National data comparing nutrient intakes and anthropometric measures in children/adolescents in the United States who skip breakfast or consume different types of breakfasts are limited.

Objective

To examine the relationship between breakfast skipping and type of breakfast consumed with nutrient intake, nutrient adequacy, and adiposity status.

Subjects

Children aged 9 to 13 years (n=4,320) and adolescents aged 14 to 18 years (n=5,339).

Design

Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006.

Methods

Breakfast consumption was self-reported. A 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess nutrient intakes. Mean adequacy ratio (MAR) for micronutrients and anthropometric indexes were evaluated. Covariate-adjusted sample-weighted means were compared using analysis of variance and Bonferroni's correction for multiple comparisons among breakfast skippers (breakfast skippers), ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal consumers, and other breakfast (other breakfast) consumers.

Results

Twenty percent of children and 31.5% of adolescents were breakfast skippers; 35.9% of children and 25.4% of adolescents consumed RTE cereal. In children/adolescents, RTE cereal consumers had lower intakes of total fat and cholesterol and higher intakes of total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, and several micronutrients (P<0.05 for all) than breakfast skippers and other breakfast consumers. RTE cereal consumers had the highest MAR for micronutrients, and MAR was the lowest for breakfast skippers (P<0.05). In children/adolescents, breakfast skippers had higher body mass index-for-age z scores (P<0.05) and a higher waist circumference (P<0.05) than RTE cereal and other breakfast consumers. Prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥95th percentile) was higher in breakfast skippers than RTE cereal consumers (P<0.05) in children/adolescents and was higher in other breakfast consumers than RTE cereal consumers only in adolescents (P<0.05).

Conclusions

RTE cereal consumers had more favorable nutrient intake profiles and adiposity indexes than breakfast skippers or other breakfast consumers in US children/adolescents.     

Nutrient intake of Head Start children: home vs. school

OBJECTIVE: To determine mean intake of energy and protein, total fat, saturated fat, percent energy from total and saturated fat, cholesterol, carbohydrate, calcium, iron, zinc, folate, vitamins A, C, E, B-6 and B-12, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, magnesium, sodium and fiber of preschool Head Start children at school and away from school. DESIGN: Twenty-four-hour food intakes for 358 Head Start children were obtained by observing food intake at school and acquiring intake recalls from parents or guardians specifying food their children consumed for the balance of the day. After determining group estimates of energy and nutrient intake, mean intake was compared to standard nutrient recommendations for the entire 24-hour day, i.e., for the time the children were in school and for the remaining hours away from school ("home" intake). SUBJECTS: The 358 Head Start children attended school either half-day (2- to 3-hour AM and PM sessions) or all-day (5 to 6 hours). STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Differences in nutrient intake among class times were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test. Differences with a p-value <0.05 (two-tailed) were considered to be statistically significant. Total energy, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins A, C, E, B6, and B12, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin as well as folate and magnesium were compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowances for the 4- to 6-year-old age group. Other standards that were used for comparisons included the National Cholesterol Education Program (fat, saturated fat and cholesterol), the 1989 National Research Council's Diet and Health Report (carbohydrate and sodium) and the recommendation for fiber proposed by the American Health Foundation. RESULTS: At school, half-day children consumed up to 25% of the daily recommendation for energy and nutrients, while all-day children achieved at least a third of the recommended intakes. When intakes at home and school were combined, all three groups of children (AM, PM and all-day) exceeded dietary recommendations for protein, vitamins and minerals. Energy intake remained below 100% of the recommendation, while intake of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol exceeded recommendations. APPLICATION: Further research is required to explore energy needs and determine nutritional status and nutrient needs of minority and low-income preschool children. Strategies are required to increase nutrient density, but not fat density, of meals and snacks served to children who attend day care for part of the day. Finally, school meals and nutrition education programs such as Team Nutrition should broaden their base to include healthful eating habits for all school children, including the very youngest children in preschool programs.     

中国六城市日托幼儿园儿童的膳食营养状况

为了解学龄前儿童中潜在缺乏的营养素 ,于 1 998～ 1 999年在北京、上海、广州、成都、长沙和大连分别选择 1～ 2所中等水平的日托幼儿园 ,调查了儿童的膳食营养状况。选择 1 1 70名 3～ 6岁健康儿童 ,其中男 583名 ,女 587名 ,使用称重法连续记录三天在幼儿园内的食物消耗量 ,同时由其看护人提供园外膳食记录 ,使用我国食物成分表计算每个儿童的营养素摄入量。每个年龄组的平均能量、蛋白质、铁、视黄醇、维生素E、硫胺素、核黄素和烟酸的摄入量是适宜的。但是脂肪提供的能量占总能量的百分比超过了建议的高限值。儿童一日能量摄入量在每餐中的分配比例趋势是早餐低 ,晚餐和园外零食高。钙磷比值严重倒置 ,平均值为 0 63 ,钙的摄入量仅达到推荐摄入量的 61 6 % ,而儿童的食盐摄入量较高 ,与适宜摄入量相差较大。锌的平均摄入量达到推荐摄入量的 62 9%。各年龄组维生素C摄入量均低于其推荐摄入量。结果提示 ,在我国城市儿童的膳食中 ,长期某些微量营养素的供给不足或偏食可能与城市日托儿童的生长发育状况与国际标准或发达国家仍有较大差距有关     

Nutrient intake of low-income Southeast Asian pregnant women

Dietary nutrient intakes of 91 Cambodian, 37 Laotian, and 59 Vietnamese low-income pregnant women attending a university teaching hospital outpatient clinic in Southern California were measured. The nutrient intakes of the Southeast Asian groups were compared with one another as well as with the intakes of a group of 165 low-income non-Southeast Asian pregnant women of similar height, weight, and age from the same outpatient clinic population. Computerized analysis of the 24-hour recall data showed that there were few differences in nutrient intake between the Southeast Asian groups, except that the Cambodian group consumed significantly less fat, riboflavin, vitamin D, and calcium than the Vietnamese group. However, there were a number of differences between the nutrient intakes of the Southeast Asian groups and those of the non-Southeast Asian group. These included significantly lower intakes of fat, riboflavin, folate, vitamins D and E, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium and significantly higher intakes of thiamin, niacin, sodium, and selenium. These findings suggest that low-income Southeast Asian pregnant women have some good dietary habits that dietitians need to reinforce and other dietary habits that need improvement.     

The influence of ready-to-eat cereal consumption at breakfast on nutrient intakes of individuals 62 years and older

From 7-day food diaries of a cross-sectional sample of American elderly individuals (n = 561), breakfast consumption patterns were assessed and related to average daily nutrient intake patterns. Results indicated that, in general, breakfast consumption made a significant contribution to the average elderly individual's daily nutrient intake and, in particular, breakfasts containing ready-to-eat cereal had a greater impact on nutrient intake levels than did breakfasts not containing ready-to-eat cereal. More specifically, elderly individuals who had ready-to-eat cereal at breakfast 4-7 times during the week surveyed consumed significantly less (P less than or equal to 0.05) fat and cholesterol and significantly more fiber, carbohydrate, total sugar, protein, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamins B6, B12, and A, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper, and zinc at the breakfast meal than those who had no ready-to-eat cereal at breakfast. Fewer statistically significant differences between the two groups were evidenced when vitamin/mineral supplement usage was included in the analysis. Average daily intake levels of frequent consumers of ready-to-eat cereal were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) greater than those of nonconsumers for all dietary components except protein, fat, cholesterol, vitamin E, and sodium when supplement usage was excluded from the calculations. When supplements were included, significant differences between the two groups decreased to nine dietary components. Comparison of the average nutrient composition of breakfasts containing ready-to-eat cereal and those not containing ready-to-eat cereal revealed those including ready-to-eat cereal contained significantly greater quantities of all nutrients assessed regardless of whether or not vitamin/mineral supplements were included in the calculations.     

One-day and 3-day nutrient intakes by individuals--Nationwide Food Consumption Survey findings, Spring 1977

With the use of data from the Spring 1977 sample of the USDA Nationwide Food Consumption Survey 1977-78, 1- and 3-day nutrient intakes for 8,779 individuals in 22 sex-age groups in the 48 conterminous states were compared. For most nutrients studied, 3-day mean intakes and day 1 mean intakes showed little difference. Mean intakes for day 1 and for days 2 and 3 combined were not significantly different for most sex-age groups for most nutrients. The few statistically significant differences observed for energy, fat, and carbohydrate could have been the result of chance and therefore have little practical significance. Regression analysis indicated that day 1 intake was strongest as a predictor of intake on subsequent days for energy, carbohydrate, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus; less strong for protein, fat, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, and vitamin C; and poorest for vitamin A.     

Ready-to-eat cereals are key sources of selected micronutrients among schoolchildren from public and private elementary schools in Quetzaltenango,Guatemala

This cross-sectional dietary survey aimed to assess the consumption and relative nutrient contribution of ready-to-eat cereals (RTEC) among schoolchildren from 2 social classes in an urban center in the Guatemalan province of Quetzaltenango. A total of 449 24-hour dietary records were collected using a pictorial workbook registry method among third- and fourth-grade schoolchildren. The sample population was divided between low-income, public school attendants (n = 219) and students from higher-income private institutions (n = 230). We described the contribution of RTEC to estimated total energy; carbohydrates; protein; fat; vitamins A, C, and D; thiamin; riboflavin; folate; calcium; iron; and zinc over the 24-hour interval of registry. Approximately 41% of the subjects mentioned RTEC at least once in their 24-hour record; 93% of these at breakfast time. From the 7 RTEC varieties reported, 4 were presweetened. Estimated cereal consumption was significantly higher among private school participants (P < .001). The RTEC contributed 2.4% of estimated total energy across the whole sample and 3.6% of total carbohydrate; iron intake from RTEC was 21% of total, whereas less than 1% of calcium intake came from this source. Among the subgroup of cereal consumers, RTEC accounted for more than 40% of their daily recommendation intake for iron, vitamin C, thiamin, and riboflavin. The RTEC consumers had significantly higher intakes for all nutrients except carbohydrate and riboflavin as compared with nonconsumers. This study demonstrates the importance of RTEC as a key source of several selected micronutrients to schoolchildren's diet in this setting.     

The role of breakfast cereals in the diets of 16–17-year-old teenagers in Britain

Dietary data was collected from almost 5000 16–17-year-old teenagers throughout Britain using 4-day unweighed dietary diaries. The data was quantitatively coded and analysed to investigate the role of breakfast cereals in the diets of teenagers. The total daily nutrient intakes of consumers and non-consumers of breakfast cereals have been examined, by both frequency of cereal consumption and type of cereal consumed. Using generalized linear-modelling techniques, the relationships between nutrient intake, region, social class, frequency of breakfast cereal consumption and type of cereal consumed were investigated. Regular consumption of any type of breakfast cereal was associated with a significantly lower intake of fat when expressed as a percentage of energy intake, having allowed for regional or social-class differences. Non-consumers of breakfast cereals had significantly lower intakes of some micronutrients and a significant proportion of those who ate no breakfast cereal failed to achieve the reference nutrient intakes for riboflavin, vitamin B₆ and folates. The consumption of breakfast cereals appears to be associated with an increased intake of micronutrients amongst teenagers in Britain, and while these associations may be due to the cereals (and milks consumed with them), they may also be due to the effect that eating cereals has on subsequent feeding during the day. However, this may be important amongst those consuming diets lower in energy or high in foods of low-micronutrient density.     

Major influences on median energy and nutrient intakes among teenagers: a Tasmanian survey

This report explores the characteristics that influenced median intakes of energy and ten nutrients in a representative sample of 1055 adolescents (11-16 years) in Tasmania, Australia. Among girls, the characteristic with greatest influence on intakes was different for different nutrients. Thus, median intakes of fat, iron, thiamin and niacin-equivalent were lower in heavier, fatter girls. Girls from larger families consumed more riboflavin, while girls with poorly educated mothers consumed less vitamin A. Girls who regularly took vitamin supplements had higher median intakes of (food-derived) calcium. Among boys the increase of intakes of energy and nutrients with age overshadowed the influence of other characteristics. Among younger boys the characteristic with greatest influence varied. Those with highly educated fathers had lower median intakes of energy and carbohydrate; those who exercised vigorously consumed more fat; those who smoked 'heavily' (greater than 10 cigarettes in the previous week) consumed more thiamin and niacin-equivalent. Among older boys the characteristic with greatest influence varied. Those who drank 'heavily' (greater than five glasses in the previous week) had higher intakes of energy and fat. Those from professional-managerial households consumed more thiamin. For vitamin C, there was no sex difference in intakes. Social status had the greatest influence, with children from professional-managerial households eating more. Food choices underlying these differences in energy and nutrient intakes were explored.     

Quality of food eaten in English primary schools: school dinners vs packed lunches

OBJECTIVE: To compare the food and nutrient intakes of primary school children eating school dinners and packed lunches. SUBJECTS: Six-hundred and twenty-one 7-year-old children participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children in South West England. METHODS: Diet was assessed by 3-day unweighed food record. RESULTS: The composition of both types of school meals compared unfavourably with dietary guidelines. Intakes of energy, non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), calcium, iron, folate, retinol equivalents, zinc, copper, magnesium, iodine and riboflavin were too low, and intakes of total and saturated fat were too high. However, children who ate school dinners had higher lunchtime intakes of protein, starch, NSP and most vitamins and minerals and lower intakes of sugar (14.2 and 20.9% of energy in school dinners and packed lunches, respectively, P<0.001) and saturated fat (12.0 and 16.2%, P<0.001). Only around half of the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables was eaten by children having either type of school meal. There were also differences in the whole day's nutrient intake according to school meal type. Children eating packed lunches had lower daily intakes of potassium and zinc, and higher intakes of sugar and saturated fat. Differences in nutrient intake were independent of maternal education. CONCLUSIONS: The food and nutrient content of both school dinners and packed lunches needed improvement. However, the standard of food brought from home by children was, if anything, worse than that served at school. Recent moves to improve school dinners will need to be complemented by education about what constitutes a healthy packed lunch.     

Ready‐to‐Eat Cereal Consumption and the School Breakfast Program: Relationship to Nutrient Intake and Weight

BACKGROUND: Children in the United States exhibit high rates of nutrient inadequacy and overweight/obesity; other international studies report similar associations. The School Breakfast Program (SBP) may help alleviate these conditions for youth in the United States. This research examined the association of ready‐to‐eat (RTE) breakfast cereal consumption with students' (SBP participants and nonparticipants) dietary nutrient intake and weight status. METHODS: Data were from the third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study (SNDA‐III), conducted in 2004‐2005. Analyses included all 2298 SNDA‐III participants (ages 5‐18 years), who completed a dietary recall and whose parents completed an interview. Students were categorized as skipping versus eating breakfast; students eating breakfast were categorized by SBP participation (SBP participant vs nonparticipant) and breakfast type (with vs without RTE cereal). Analyses estimated the association of these categorizations with total daily nutrient intake and weight‐related measures, after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: RTE cereal breakfast consumers (regardless of SBP participation) had greater intake of vitamin A, iron, and whole grain, compared with noncereal breakfast eaters. Breakfast consumers (regardless of SBP participation and type) had greater intake of vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, dietary fiber, and whole grain, relative to breakfast skippers. CONCLUSIONS: The SBP increases opportunity for improved nutrient intake and healthier body weight through breakfast consumption, especially whole grain RTE cereals, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines 2010.