Breakfast Consumption by U.S. Children and Adolescents, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-March 2020

Authors: Hoy, M Katherine; Sebastian, Rhonda; Murayi, Theophile; Goldman, Joseph; Moshfegh, Alanna

Submitted to: Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group
Publication Type: Research Technical Update
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/24/2024
Publication Date: 4/30/2024
Citation: Hoy, M.K., Sebastian, R.S., Murayi, T., Goldman, J.D., Moshfegh, A.J. 2024. Breakfast Consumption by U.S. Children and Adolescents, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-March 2020. Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group. Available: https://www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg/wweia/dbrief.

Interpretive Summary: The importance of a healthy breakfast is a common view. Among children and adolescents, skipping breakfast has been associated with higher risk for overweight and obesity and cardiovascular risk indicators. Consuming breakfast may be related to better academic performance. However, there is little information about what is consumed at breakfast by children and adolescents. Therefore, this study presents data on breakfast consumption among those 2-19 years and compares intakes of breakfast consumers and non-consumers. One day dietary intake data from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-March 2020 were used. Overall, 83% of children and adolescents consume breakfast on a given day. As children get older, breakfast consumption decreases. There were no differences between males and females. Also, there were no other differences in percentages who consume breakfast by race-ethnicity or by family income. For one-third or more of children and adolescents, the contribution of breakfast to total energy intake was 15-30%, particularly among younger children. About one-quarter to one-third of total daily nutrient intakes are obtained at breakfast. Grain products such as ready-to-eat cereals and breads are the most frequently reported foods at breakfast. Almost three-quarters of children and adolescents consume water at breakfast, and about one-quarter have milk.

Technical Abstract: The importance of a healthy breakfast is a well-established view. Among children and adolescents, skipping breakfast has been associated with higher risk for overweight and obesity as well as abnormal cardiometabolic indicators. Consuming breakfast may be related to better academic performance and cognitive function. However, there is little information about what is consumed at breakfast by children and adolescents. Therefore, this study presents data on breakfast consumption among those 2-19 years (N=4,091) and compares intakes of breakfast consumers and non-consumers. One day dietary intake data from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-March 2020 were used. Prevalence of breakfast consumption and nutrient intakes were compared by two-tailed t-tests. Regression analysis was used to examine trends in breakfast consumption. Food intake was described using the What We Eat in America Food Categories. Overall, 83% of children and adolescents consume breakfast on a given day. As children get older, breakfast consumption decreases (p<0.001 for linear trend). There were no differences between males and females. Also, there were no differences in percentages who consume breakfast by race-ethnicity or by family income. For one-third or more of children and adolescents, the contribution of breakfast to total energy intake was 15-30%, particularly among younger children. About one-quarter to one-third of total daily nutrient intakes are obtained at breakfast. Grain products such as ready-to-eat cereals and breads are the most frequently consumed foods at breakfast, reported by 60% of individuals. Beverages frequently reported at breakfast include water (71%), milk (17%) and 100% juice (13%).