Presweetened, Ready-to-Eat Cereal a Smart Choice for Children

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Feb. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 

• New study shows that children who start their day with a #cereal #breakfast tend to have lower BMIs, http://bit.ly/XLQMm2
• New study shows children who skip #breakfast are nearly twice as likely to be #overweight or #obese http://bit.ly/XLQMm2

Parents searching for a healthy breakfast for their children should take another look at the cereal aisle. According to new research published in peer-reviewed healthcare journal Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition (ICAN), children who start their day with a cereal breakfast - even if that cereal is presweetened - tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and less chance of being overweight or obese than children who eat other breakfasts or skip the meal entirely.¹

"The benefits of cereal breakfast extend beyond low BMI, too. Breakfast cereals make a positive contribution to children's nutrition," said Kevin B. Miller, PhD, a senior nutrition scientist at Kellogg Company's W.K. Kellogg Institute for Food and Nutrition and one of the researchers who conducted the study. "A serving of cereal and milk provides kids with protein and four important nutrients they often don't get enough of: fiber, calcium, Vitamin D and potassium."

Previous studies have shown that ready-to-eat cereal consumption is associated with reduced obesity in children and adults when compared to other breakfast options (including eating no breakfast at all).^2,3 The 2012 research, "The Association Between Body Metrics and Breakfast Food Choice in Children," further confirms that children who eat cereal breakfasts, including presweetened cereal, are much more likely to have healthier body weights than those who eat other breakfasts. In fact, children who skip breakfast or choose non-cereal options are nearly twice as likely to be overweight or obese as their cereal-eating counterparts.⁴

"A cereal breakfast, whether presweetened or not, provides children a convenient, nutrient-dense and great-tasting way to start their day," said Miller.

To help families provide their children with a healthy breakfast, Kellogg offers more ready-to-eat cereals that are a good source of fiber (3 grams) and include at least one-half serving of whole grains (8 grams) than any other U.S. food company. Cereals include Kellogg's Raisin Bran, Frosted Mini-Wheats, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks and many others.

About Kellogg Company

At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), we are driven to enrich and delight the world through foods and brands that matter. With 2012 sales of $14.2 billion, Kellogg is the world's leading cereal company; second largest producer of cookies, crackers and savory snacks; and a leading North American frozen foods company. Every day, our well-loved brands nourish families so they can flourish and thrive. These brands include Kellogg's®, Keebler®, Special K®, Pringles®, Frosted Flakes®, Pop-Tarts®, Corn Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Kashi®, Cheez-It®, Eggo®, Coco Pops®, Mini-Wheats®, and many more. To learn more about our responsible business leadership, foods that delight and how we strive to make a difference in our communities around the world, visit www.kelloggcompany.com.

About ICAN

ICAN: Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition (ICAN) is a bi-monthly, peer-reviewed journal on the nutritional care of children from birth through adolescence, providing practical information derived from research and practice. ICAN publishes articles translating original basic and clinical nutrition research for clinicians, evidence-based practice innovations, research reviews, commentaries on pediatric nutrition and eating behavior, case reports, and more.

¹ Miller KB, DJ Liska and VL Fulgoni. (2013) The Association Between Body Metrics and Breakfast Food Choice in Children. ICAN 5(1):43-50.
² Albertson AM, Anderson GH, Crockett SJ, Goebel MT. (2003) Ready-to-eat cereal consumption: its relationship with BMI and nutrient intake of children aged 4 to 12 years. J Am Diet Assoc. 103:1613-1619.
³ O'Neil, CE, M. Zanovec, TA Nicklas and SS Cho (2012) Presweetened and Nonpresweetened Ready-to-Eat Cereals at Breakfast Are Associated With Improved Nutrient Intake but Not With Increased Body Weight of Children and Adolescents: NHANES 1999-2002. Am J Lifestyle Med. 6(1):63-74.
⁴ Miller KB, DJ Liska and VL Fulgoni. (2013) The Association Between Body Metrics and Breakfast Food Choice in Children. ICAN 5(1):43-50.

SOURCE Kellogg Company