Nutrition Guidelines

Nutrition

Eating Breakfast Helps Prevent Obesity and Diabetes

Eating breakfast daily
reduced the risk of obesity
and insulin resistance
by 40 to 50%

Your mother always told you to eat your breakfast. Now we know some of the reasons why it's good for us. Eating breakfast has beneficial effects on appetite, insulin resistance, and energy metabolism. An 8 year study including 2,059 men and women (part of the CARDIA study) looked at breakfast habits and risk of developing obesity or insulin resistance syndrome (a precursor to diabetes).

Over the 8 years, white men who ate breakfast daily were 39% less likely to become obese, and 37% less likely to develop insulin resistance syndrome compared to those who didn't eat breakfast regularly. White women were 55% less likely to become obese and 53% less likely to develop insulin resistance syndrome if they ate breakfast daily. These amazing reductions in risk of obesity and insulin resistance include adjusting for exercise patterns, smoking, alcohol use, and demographic data.

In addition to breakfast frequency, the quality of breakfast was also important. For example, whole grain breakfast cereals were associated with a reduction in insulin resistance, whereas refined cereals were not.

Eating a good breakfast is one way to help prevent obesity and insulin resistance which leads to diabetes!

Reference

References
Pereira MA et al. Reported breakfast habits and incidence of obesity and insulin resistance syndrome: The Cardia Study, Circulation, P35, Feb 25, 2003

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Making Healthy Choices articles are written by Don Hall, DrPH, CHES president of LifeLong Health with contributions from associated health professionals. Content is general health information from evidence based research. It's purpose is not to treat disease or take the place of advice by your doctor but to promote healthy lifestyles. Persons with health problems should contact their physician for specific guidance.

Updated: 2-27-03 DRH