Can regular long-term breakfast cereals consumption benefits lower cardiovascular diseases and diabetes risk? A longitudinal population-based study.

PURPOSE

Studies indicate breakfast cereals may reduce the risk of overweight, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, but a limited number of longitudinal studies have explored these relationships, indicating the need for further assessment.

METHODS

We used 45 and Up Study data to examine the longitudinal association between breakfast cereals (and different categories of cereals) and heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Dietary consumption was assessed by a short food frequency questionnaire. Diagnosed heart disease, stroke, and diabetes were self-reported. Generalized estimating equation models were used to examine the longitudinal associations.

RESULTS

Of a total of 142,503 participants (aged 45 years and older), people in the older age group (aged 80 or older) had significantly higher breakfast cereal consumption (P < .001) than those in the younger age group (aged 45-64 years). A significantly inverse association was found between breakfast muesli and heart disease, stroke, and diabetes across all age groups. Associations between other categories of breakfast cereals (biscuit, bran, and oat cereals) and these three diseases differed by age groups. A positive association was found between oat cereals and diabetes for people in the younger age groups (aged 80 years and younger), but not for people in the older age group (aged 80 years and older).

CONCLUSIONS

The benefit of breakfast muesli consumption was highlighted in prevention of these three diseases. The result suggests that age-specific dietary guidelines, with a particular focus on the types of breakfast cereals consumption in prevention of chronic diseases for older people need to be developed.