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Carbohydrates, Glycemic Index and Diabetes Mellitus

The contribution of breakfast cereals to the nutritional intake of the materially deprived UK population

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 66, pages 10–17 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

Breakfast is an important source of micronutrients in the diet and its consumption has been linked to positive health outcomes. The present analysis investigated the contribution that breakfast cereals make to the nutrient intakes of the materially deprived (low income) UK population.

Subjects/Methods:

Data for 3728 respondents aged 2 years and over from the UK Low Income Diet and Nutrition Survey (2003–2005) were analysed. Nutrient intakes of consumers and non-consumers of breakfast cereal were compared.

Results:

Breakfast cereals were consumed by 49% of men, 58% of women, 80% of boys and 80% of girls, and median intakes were: 35, 25, 29 and 21 g/d, respectively. Consumers of breakfast cereals had higher intakes of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, iron and zinc than non-consumers. Breakfast cereal consumption was also related to higher intakes of calcium, attributable to higher milk consumption. The intake of wholegrain and high-fibre breakfast cereals was associated with a higher intake of non-starch polysaccharides. Intakes of niacin, biotin, calcium and zinc were higher but that of vitamin B6 was lower among consumers of exclusively wholegrain and high-fibre breakfast cereals compared with consumers of other breakfast cereals. There were no significant differences observed in intakes of non-milk extrinsic sugars according to type of breakfast cereal consumed.

Conclusions:

Breakfast cereals make a significant contribution to the micronutrient intake of the low-income UK population.

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Acknowledgements

LIDNS was funded by the Food Standards Agency and carried out by the National Centre for Social Research, King's College London, and the Royal Free and University College London Medical School. The literature review and secondary analysis was carried out for Kings College London through additional monies obtained from the Association of Cereal Food Manufacturers (ACFM). The authors gratefully acknowledge the FSA, ACFM and Caroline Lynch from Nexus Communications Group.

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  1. B A Holmes

    Present address: Current address: Danone Research, Global Nutrition Department, Palaiseau Cedex, France.,

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetes & Nutritional Sciences Division, King's College London, School of Medicine, London, UK

    B A Holmes, N Kaffa, K Campbell & T A B Sanders

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  1. B A Holmes
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Correspondence to B A Holmes.

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Contributors: BH was involved in all stages of LIDNS, the analysis and the manuscript. TS was involved in the scientific report carried out at Kings College London, the analysis and the manuscript. NK and KC were involved in the scientific report and commented on the manuscript.

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Holmes, B., Kaffa, N., Campbell, K. et al. The contribution of breakfast cereals to the nutritional intake of the materially deprived UK population. Eur J Clin Nutr 66, 10–17 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.143

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