Charlyn Fargo, Contributor

Does eating breakfast really help weight control?

Answer: Research suggests that it usually does. In a new study of more than 6,700 men and women, those who consumed the smallest proportion of their daily calories at breakfast gained 50 per cent more weight over the study period than those who got more of their calories earlier in the day. These findings echo the results of a similar study published last year that looked at the eating habits of 20,000 men, middle-aged and older.

Skipping breakfast

Breakfast-eaters, the study reports, were 25 per cent less likely to gain a significant amount of weight (11 pounds or more) over a 10-year follow-up time period. Studies in teenagers also link skipping breakfast with overweight, obesity and weight gain.

Researchers note that breakfast might directly affect metabolism or could simply help weight control less directly by decreasing extra calories from morning snacking or larger lunches.

Note, however, that what you eat for breakfast is just as important. Choosing high-fat, high-calorie breakfast items at fast-food restaurants or diners (many of which tally up to 800 calories) can quickly negate the weight-controlling benefits of eating breakfast in the first place.

- American Institute for Cancer Research.

Experts to update dietary guidelines

Work is already under way for the 2010 dietary guidelines. A new advisory committee is being formed to decide what updates the United States (US) government guidelines need, based on current advances in scientific and medical knowledge.

The guidelines have existed since 1980, with revisions being made every five years. They are aimed at giving the public advice on what makes a healthy, balanced diet. They also provide a goal to manufacturers on ways to make products healthier in line with consumer awareness.

Currently, the US Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services are inviting nominations from industry experts for the committee, which will establish the 2010 guidelines. Within its plans to set up the new committee, the two governmental departments say they are seeking expertise in several medical areas - the prevention of chronic diseases (such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease), epidemiology, nutrition biochemistry and physiology.

Obesity problem

They are also looking for people with a specific knowledge of obesity to help battle the problem of obesity. It's also likely that the new set of guidelines will look at food safety and technology.

"The committee will evaluate whether a revision of the 2005 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is warranted, based on a thorough evaluation of the most current scientific and applied literature and, if so, will proceed to develop," says an announcement in the federal register. Stay tuned.

For more information, go to www.foodnavigator-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=84646-usda-dietary-guide ines-obesity-health.

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