Associations between breakfast consumption from childhood to adulthood and cardiometabolic health: A systematic review

Aim Breakfast consumption may be associated favourably with cardiometabolic health. Most studies only measure breakfast consumption at one timepoint, whereas repeated measures allow for associations to be explored from a life course perspective. This systematic review assessed evidence from cohort studies on associations between breakfast consumption from childhood to adulthood and cardiometabolic health. Methods Seven databases were searched; eligible records included analyses assessing breakfast consumption in childhood and adulthood, and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity or associated clinical risk factors. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for cohort studies. Results Six eligible articles were reviewed, representing four cohort studies from two countries. Body composition was the only outcome investigated by five articles; the sixth article investigated body composition as well as a metabolic syndrome score and serum cardiometabolic risk markers. Most articles found significant associations between breakfast consumption in childhood and adulthood and cardiometabolic benefits, however the quality of evidence was poor. Childhood and adulthood breakfast consumption were each associated with cardiometabolic benefits, and breakfast consumption over both life stages was associated with greater benefits. An increase in breakfast consumption from childhood to adulthood was also associated with cardiometabolic benefits. Conclusions We evaluated the available literature and found limited studies of low quality to suggest that more frequent breakfast consumption across both childhood and adulthood may be associated with the greatest cardiometabolic benefits. Further research is needed to develop an understanding of the relationship between breakfast and cardiometabolic health from a cross-lifestage perspective.