Comparison of the satiating properties of egg- versus cereal grain-based breakfasts for appetite and energy intake control in children

Background: Few studies exist that have systematically examined the role of protein, and egg protein in particular, in appetite and energy intake regulation in children.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three different types of breakfast on appetite and energy intake at subsequent meals in children.

Design: Forty children, ages 8-10, were served a compulsory breakfast (egg, cereal, or oatmeal) and lunch, consumed ad libitum, once a week for three weeks. Children's appetite ratings were assessed repeatedly throughout the morning. On each test day, caregivers completed food records, which captured children's intake for the remainder of the day.

Results: There was a significant main effect of breakfast condition on energy intake at lunch (P=0.02) indicating that children consumed ~70 fewer calories at lunch following the egg breakfast (696 ± 53 kcal) compared to the cereal (767 ± 53 kcal) and oatmeal (765 ± 53 kcal) breakfasts. Calories consumed for the remainder of the day and daily energy intake did not differ across conditions (P>0.30). There also were no significant differences in children's appetite ratings between conditions (P>0.43).

Conclusions: Consuming an egg-based breakfast significantly reduced short-term, but not longer-term, energy intake in children in the absence of differences in appetite ratings.