Authors

  1. Grimes, Megan MS, RDN
  2. Kuczmarski, Marie Fanelli PhD, RDN
  3. Bodt, Barry A. PhD
  4. Baker, Sandra D. EdD, RDN
  5. Fang, Chengshun PhD, RDN
  6. Zonderman, Alan B. PhD
  7. Evans, Michele K. MD

Abstract

Both skipping breakfast and away-from-home (AFH) food consumption can influence diet quality. This study compared diet quality when breakfasts were eaten at home, eaten AFH, or skipped among adults (aged 32-70 years; 59% female, 62% African American) in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study who completed two 24-hour recalls (n = 2140). Individuals who ate breakfast at home had the highest diet quality (Healthy Eating Index-2010 score). Persons who ate breakfast AFH or skipped breakfast had diet quality scores that were 3.98 and 4.62 points lower. Dietitians could promote more at-home meals as an effective strategy to improve the diet quality for Americans' breakfast.