Regular Consumption of Cereal for Breakfast May Lower BMI in Children

A study looked at 625 children from 4th to 6th grades in San Antonio, Texas. The researchers surveyed the children once a year and asked them what they had eaten for breakfast in the previous three days. After the children were surveyed, the researchers calculated their BMI. When the children were in the 4th grade, 64% reported eating breakfast in the previous three days. After being surveyed in the 6th grade, only 42% reported eating breakfast in the previous three days. In total, the researchers obtained data over three years including 9 days of breakfast surveys for each child. The results showed the kids that ate cereal four out of the nine days were in the 95th percentile for BMI. The children that ate cereal all of the nine days were in the 65th percentile for BMI. In addition, the researchers found that the kids who ate cereal for breakfast obtained more nutrients than the other kids. The cereal gave the kids more vitamin D, B-3, B-12, riboflavin, calcium, iron, zinc, and potassium. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Feb, 27, 2013