We examined the relationship between breakfast eating, nutrient intake, and health outcomes using dietary intake, anthropometric, and biochemical measurements in Korean adults. Data from the 2007 National Health and Nutrition Survey were obtained, and 2,514 adults aged 20 to 64 years were analyzed. The prevalence of skipping breakfast, using a 24-hour diet recall, was 54.5% in the 20-29 age group, 31.2% in the 30-49 age group, and 19.2% in the 50-64 age group. In the 20-29 age group, waist circumstance and serum cholesterol were significantly higher in breakfast skippers than in breakfast eaters. In the 30-49 age group, breakfast skippers had higher triglyceride levels than breakfast eaters. Energy intake of breakfast skippers in every age group was significantly lower than that of breakfast eaters. Furthermore, in the 20-29 and 30-49 age groups, the percent of energy from carbohydrates in breakfast skippers was significantly lower than that of breakfast eaters, whereas the percent of energy from lipids in breakfast skippers was significantly higher than that of breakfast eaters. Additionally, in the 20-29 and 30-49 age groups, breakfast eaters showed higher carbohydrate and iron intake per 1,000 kcal than breakfast skippers and lower lipid intake per 1,000 kcal than that of breakfast skippers. Breakfast skippers showed intakes of less nutrients than EAR was higher than breakfast eaters except vitamin B2 and calcium intake in males of the 20-29 age group. In conclusion, nutrition education, and policy should be implemented to teach the importance of breakfast, appropriate dietary intake, and proper food choice for each age group.

• 이석화 | Lee, Seok-Hwa
• 정상진 | Chung, Sang-Jin
• 최경란 | Choi, Kyung-Ran