Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between breakfast type, energy intake and body mass index (BMI). We hypothesized not only that breakfast consumption itself is associated with BMI, but that the type of food eaten at breakfast also affects BMI. Methods: Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), a large, population-based study conducted in the United States from 1988 to 1994, were analyzed for breakfast type, total daily energy intake, and BMI. The analyzed breakfast categories were “Skippers,” “Meat/eggs,” “Ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC),” “Cooked cereal,” “Breads,” “Quick Breads,” “Fruits/vegetables,” “Dairy,” “Fats/sweets,” and “Beverages.” Analysis of covariance was used to estimate adjusted mean body mass index (BMI) and energy intake (kcal) as dependent variables. Covariates included age, gender, race, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity and poverty index ratio. Results: Subjects who ate RTEC, Cooked cereal, or Quick Breads for breakfast had significantly lower BMI compared to Skippers and Meat and Egg eaters (p ≤ 0.01). Breakfast skippers and fruit/vegetable eaters had the lowest daily energy intake. The Meat and Eggs eaters had the highest daily energy intake and one of the highest BMIs. Conclusions: This analysis provides evidence that skipping breakfast is not an effective way to manage weight. Eating cereal (ready-to-eat or cooked cereal) or quick breads for breakfast is associated with significantly lower body mass index compared to skipping breakfast or eating meats and/or eggs for breakfast.

Journal of Medical Internet Research - International Scientific Journal for Medical Research, Information and Communication on the Internet

Background: Free radicals in cigarette smoke may cause oxidative damage to macromolecules, contributing to cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Decreased plasma antioxidant concentrations may indicate cigarette smoke–related oxidative stress. Objective: We compared the effects on plasma antioxidant concentrations in cotinine-confirmed active and passive smokers with those in nonsmokers, independent of differences in dietary intakes and other covariates. Design: Plasma samples from 83 smokers, 40 passive smokers, and 36 nonsmokers were analyzed for total ascorbic acid, α- and γ-tocopherols, 5 carotenoids, retinol, and cotinine. Groups were compared by using analysis of variance with adjustment for sex, age, race, body mass index, alcohol intake, triacylglycerol concentration, fruit and vegetable intakes, and dietary antioxidants. Results: After adjustment for dietary antioxidant intakes and other covariates, smokers and passive smokers had significantly lower plasma β-carotene concentrations than did nonsmokers (0.15, 0.17, and 0.24 μmol/L, respectively) and significantly higher γ-tocopherol concentrations (7.8, 7.8, and 6.5 μmol/L, respectively). Smokers had significantly lower plasma ascorbic acid and β-cryptoxanthin concentrations than did nonsmokers and passive smokers (ascorbic acid: 43.6, 54.5, and 54.6 μmol/L, respectively; β-cryptoxanthin: 0.12, 0.16, and 0.16 μmol/L, respectively) and significantly lower concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin than did nonsmokers (0.33 compared with 0.41 μmol/L). The P values for all the differences described above were < 0.05. No significant differences in plasma concentrations of α-tocopherol, α-carotene, total carotenoids, lycopene, or retinol were observed. Conclusions: These results indicate that cigarette smokers and nonsmokers exposed to cigarette smoke have a significantly lower plasma antioxidant status than do unexposed nonsmokers, independent of differences in dietary antioxidant intakes. Further research is required to explain why plasma γ-tocopherol concentrations were significantly higher in smokers and passive smokers than in nonsmokers.

Dietary supplement use in the United States is prevalent and represents an important source of nutrition. However, little is known about individuals who routinely consume multiple dietary supplements. This study describes the dietary supplement usage patterns, health, and nutritional status of long-term multiple dietary supplement users, and where possible makes comparisons to non-users and multivitamin/mineral supplement users.

Physical activity is increasingly recognized as an important factor influencing health and disease status. Total energy expenditure, both low-intensity and high-intensity, contributes to maintenance of healthy body weight. This paper presents the results of a quantitative approach to determining the activities that contribute to total energy expenditure in the United States. Data from the National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS) were used. In 1992–1994 the NHAPS sampled 4,185 females and 3,330 males, aged 18 years and over, weighted to be representative of the 48 contiguous United States. A detailed report of each activity performed in the previous 24 hours was obtained. A score was created for each activity, by multiplying duration and intensity for each individual and summing across individuals. This score was then used to rank each activity according to its contribution to total population energy expenditure, for the total sample and separately for each gender, race, age, region, and season. This analysis reveals our society to be primarily sedentary; leisure time physical activity contributed only approximately 5% of the population's total energy expenditure. Not counting sleeping, the largest contributor to energy expenditure was "Driving a car", followed by "Office work" and "Watching TV". Household activities accounted for 20.1% and 33.3% of energy expenditure for males and females respectively. The information presented in this paper may be useful in identifying common activities that could be appropriate targets for behavioral interventions to increase physical activity.