Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
06:48
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
Breakfast consumption and physical activity in British adolescents
K Corder1, E M F van Sluijs, R M Steele
1MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Box 285, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK. kirsten.corder@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk
The British Journal of Nutrition
|September 3, 2010
Summary
Skipping breakfast is linked to lower physical activity (PA) in adolescent girls. This suggests breakfast may play a role in promoting PA for this demographic.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Adolescent Health
- Physical Activity Research
Background:
- An inverse relationship exists between breakfast frequency and weight gain, but the link to physical activity (PA) is unclear.
- Potential mechanisms include general poor eating habits, reduced PA, or direct physiological effects of skipping breakfast.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between breakfast frequency and PA levels in British adolescents.
- To determine if this association is independent of body composition and socioeconomic status (SES).
Main Methods:
- Habitual breakfast frequency assessed via self-report questionnaire in 877 adolescents (mean age 14.5 years).
- Physical activity (PA) measured over 5 days using accelerometry (average counts/min; cpm).
- Linear regression analysis adjusted for body fat percentage and SES.
Main Results:
- No significant association between breakfast frequency and PA was found in boys.
- In girls, less frequent breakfast consumption was significantly associated with lower morning PA (cpm), even after adjusting for covariates.
- No overall daily PA associations were observed, but morning PA in girls showed a link to breakfast habits.
Conclusions:
- Breakfast consumption may be a factor to consider when developing strategies to promote physical activity in adolescent girls.
- Further research could explore the specific mechanisms linking breakfast, morning energy levels, and PA in adolescent females.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Regulation of Food Intake
Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
01:20Lifestyle Factors and Health
Lifestyle factors play a critical role in maintaining overall health and preventing chronic diseases. Key elements, such as regular physical activity, a nutritious diet, and abstinence from smoking, can significantly enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being while reducing the risk of several life-threatening conditions.
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
01:18Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State
The postabsorptive state usually starts about four hours after a meal and lasts until the next meal is eaten. During this time, the digestive system stops absorbing nutrients, and the body uses stored energy reserves to maintain stable blood glucose levels.
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...