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Describing the longitudinal breakfast quality index trajectories in early childhood: results from Melbourne InFANT
Seon Yeong Park1, Penelope Love2, Kathleen E Lacy2
1Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. parkseo@deakin.edu.au.
Insights
Breakfast quality declines in early childhood, with a "Low BQI" group showing a higher risk of overweight. This highlights the need for interventions to improve breakfast quality in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Childhood Obesity Prevention
- Dietary Quality Assessment
Background:
- Breakfast quality in early childhood is understudied.
- Understanding changes in breakfast quality is crucial for child health.
- Associations between breakfast quality and obesity outcomes require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the trajectory of breakfast quality index (BQI) in early childhood.
- To assess the association between BQI trajectories and obesity outcomes at age 5 years.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 328 children in the Melbourne InFANT Program.
- Assessed dietary intake at 1.5, 3.5, and 5.0 years using 24-hour recalls.
- Employed group-based trajectory modeling and multivariable regression analysis.
Main Results:
- Identified two BQI trajectory groups, both showing a decline in quality over time.
- A "Low BQI" group (26% of children) had a higher risk of overweight at age 5.
- No significant difference in BMI z-score was observed between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Both identified BQI trajectory groups demonstrated a decline in breakfast quality from 1.5 to 5.0 years.
- Findings underscore the necessity of early health promotion interventions.
- Strategies to improve and sustain breakfast quality throughout early childhood are recommended.
Background:
Breakfast quality in early childhood remains understudied. This study describes the changes in breakfast quality index (BQI) (i.e. trajectory) in early childhood and assesses its associations with obesity outcomes.
Methods:
Data from children who participated in the Melbourne InFANT Program were used (n = 328). The Melbourne InFANT Program was a 15-month early obesity prevention intervention conducted from 2008 to 2013. Dietary intakes at ages 1.5, 3.5 and 5.0 years were assessed using three parent-proxy reported 24 h recalls. A revised nine-item BQI tool developed based on Australian dietary recommendations for young children was used to calculate BQI scores. Group-based trajectory modelling identified BQI trajectory groups. Multivariable linear and logistic regression examined the associations between identified BQI trajectory groups and obesity outcomes at age 5 years.
Results:
Mean BQI at ages 1.5, 3.5 and 5.0 years was 4.8, 4.8, 2.7 points, respectively. Two BQI trajectory groups were identified, and both showed a decline in BQI. The mean BQI of most children (74%) decreased from 5.0 to 4.0 points from ages 1.5 to 5.0 years (referred as "High BQI" group). The remaining children (26%) had a mean BQI of 4.8 and 1.2 points at age 1.5 and 5.0 years, respectively (referred as "Low BQI" group). The "Low BQI" group appeared to show higher risk of overweight (OR:1.30, 95% CI: 0.60, 2.81, P = 0.66) at age 5 years than the "High BQI" group. No difference in body mass index (BMI) z-score was found between the two groups.
Conclusions:
Two BQI trajectory groups were identified. Both groups showed a decline in breakfast quality from ages 1.5 to 5.0 years. Our study highlights the need for early health promotion interventions and strategies to improve and maintain breakfast quality across early childhood.
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