Poor Breakfast Habits Could Be Affecting America's Health

    LAKELAND, Fla., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- As debate continues on the obesity
epidemic in the United States, Americans may not have to look much further
than the breakfast table to find a possible solution.  A new consumer survey
reveals alarming statistics showing that even though almost all Americans
(96 percent) believe consuming a nutritious breakfast is an important part of
a healthy lifestyle, their behavior demonstrates otherwise.
    Even more daunting is the fact that Americans have raised a generation
that does not eat breakfast.  Young adults are even more likely to spend less
time eating breakfast or to skip breakfast altogether than their older
counterparts, according to the State of the American Breakfast survey, which
looked at the breakfast habits and trends of American adults.
    The survey was conducted by KRC Research on behalf of America's Breakfast
Council (ABC), a think tank of health professionals dedicated to demonstrating
the benefits of a nutritious, well-balanced breakfast, and was funded by the
Florida Department of Citrus.  The survey results were previewed for health
professionals at the 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
Scientific Assembly on Oct. 13-16, 2004.
    "People who eat a well-balanced breakfast tend to have more nutritious
diets than those who skip breakfast regularly.  Breakfast-eaters typically
consume foods higher in fiber, vitamins and minerals and avoid foods high in
saturated fat and cholesterol," said Liz Weiss, M.S., R.D., a registered
dietitian specializing in health and nutrition, and an ABC member.
    Studies also show that eating a well-balanced breakfast may reduce the
risk of type 2 diabetes(1), and those who skip breakfast are more than four
times as likely to be obese compared to individuals who eat breakfast on a
regular basis(2).
    "Americans need to make eating a healthy breakfast part of their daily
morning ritual," said ABC member Gail Rampersaud, R.D. "By eating a nutrient-
rich meal packed with whole grains, protein, fruit or natural fruit juices,
like 100 percent orange juice, they can get the nutrition they need to get
their day off to a healthy start."

    AMERICA IS CUTTING CORNERS
    Americans know everyday should be a breakfast day, but according to the
survey, almost one-third of Americans fall short of this goal by choosing not
to eat breakfast every morning.  Additionally, 25 percent say they eat
breakfast only three out of five weekdays.
    While Americans have a better record on the weekends, more than one out of
four Americans (26 percent) do not regularly consume breakfast on the weekends
either.

    LIFESTYLE CHALLENGES
    When Americans do eat breakfast, they're racing to finish.  Twenty-nine
percent of Americans say that when they eat breakfast during the week,
breakfast -- including preparation and cleanup -- takes less than 10 minutes
from beginning to end.  More than half (53 percent) say they devote less than
15 minutes to acquiring the important energy and nutrients that propel them
through their day.
    In addition, nearly four out of 10 (38 percent) say they tend to eat
breakfast on-the-fly -- at work or school, while commuting or running errands,
and almost the same percentage (47 percent) say that when they skip breakfast,
it's because they do not have enough time or feel that it is too inconvenient.
    "Breakfast is becoming something Americans do in between important things
-- not something that alone merits importance," said Weiss. "They need to
realize that a healthy breakfast is an important part of leading a healthy
lifestyle."

    THE IMPORTANCE OF BREAKFAST
    According to Weiss, there are a number of quick, easy changes Americans
can make to break the cycle of poor breakfast habits.  Just follow the ABC's:

     Assess breakfast habits.  Are you regularly eating breakfast?  If not,
      why not?  How could you adjust your lifestyle choices to make breakfast
      an important part of your day? Simply plan ahead and stock your fridge
      with healthy options. A small box of whole grain cereal and a
      single-serve carton of 100 percent orange juice taken on-the-go are
      quick options to fit into any busy schedule.

     Balance -- Eating a balanced breakfast can be quick and healthy.  Try to
      include nutritious foods such as whole-wheat toast with peanut butter,
      low-fat yogurt or 100 percent fruit juice.  For instance, orange juice
      contains several vitamins and nutrients Americans need, including one of
      the most powerful antioxidants, vitamin C.

     Commit to eating a nutritious breakfast everyday -- even if you do it on
      the fly.  Breakfast provides energy and may boost concentration levels.
      In fact, several studies have even found that breakfast consumption is
      associated with an improvement in academic grades(3-5).


    AMERICA'S BREAKFAST COUNCIL
    The mission of America's Breakfast Council (ABC) is to provide a cohesive
and credible voice of authority on issues pertaining to the nutritional,
physical and mental benefits that Americans gain when they start each day with
a nutritious, well-balanced breakfast that includes 100 percent fruit juice,
whole grains and protein.

    THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CITRUS
    The FDOC is an executive agency of the Florida government charged with the
marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry.  Its
activities are funded by a tax paid by growers on each box of citrus that
moves through commercial channels.  The industry employs approximately 90,000
people, provides a $9 billion annual economic impact to the state, and
contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues that help support
Florida's schools, roads and health care services. For more information
contact Laura Kolodner at GolinHarris, (312) 729-4223 or Andrew Meadows at the
Florida Department of Citrus, (863) 499-2516.

    (1) American Heart Association. (March 6, 2003). Eating breakfast may
        stave off obesity, diabetes, presented at the 43rd annual American
        Heart Association Conference
    (2) Ma et. al. (2003).  Association between eating patterns and obesity in
        a free-living US adult population. Am J Epidemiol 2003; 158:85-92
    (3) Kleinman et. al. (2002), Diet, breakfast, and academic performance in
        children. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. (2002); Suppl 1: 24-30
    (4) Murphy et. al. (1998.  The relationship of school breakfast to
        psychosocial and academic functioning. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med.
        (1998) 152: 899-907
    (5) Kim et al. (2003).  Academic performance of Korean children is
        associated with dietary behaviors and physical status. Asia Pacific
        Journal of Clinical Nutrition 12:186-192.

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