EATING breakfast causes obese people to be more active, a new study claims.

Researchers at the University of Bath analysed the links between breakfast and health for individuals classed as obese, comparing the results from a fasting group with a breakfasting group.

Eating breakfast did not make obese individuals lose weight but did result in more physical activity in the morning and reduced food intake later in the day – meaning both groups ate similar amounts overall.

The researchers said that increasing activity is one of the most important ways to improve health in an increasingly sedentary population.
These latest results in this obese group build on previous studies at the university into the effects of eating breakfast.
for a lean population.

Both studies form part of the three-year Bath Breakfast Project, which is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

Lead researcher Dr James Betts said: “Despite many people offering opinions about whether or not you should eat breakfast, to date there has been a lack of rigorous scientific evidence showing how, or whether, breakfast might cause changes in our health,” he said.

“How important breakfast is still depends on the individual.”and their own personal goals.

“For example, if weight loss is the key there is little to suggest that just having breakfast or skipping it will matter.

“However, based on other markers of a healthy lifestyle, like being more active or controlling blood sugar levels, there’s evidence that breakfast may help.”

Dr Enhad Chowdhury, the study’s lead author, added: “It is important to bear in mind that not everybody responds in the same way to breakfast and that not all breakfasts are equal.

“The effects of a sugary cereal compared to a high protein breakfast are likely to be quite different.”