Isolating and exploiting the mechanisms that link breakfast and health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Isolating and exploiting the mechanisms that link breakfast with human health
IRAS ID
283545
Contact name
James Betts
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Regular consumption of breakfast (versus skipping breakfast) leads to greater physical activity levels compared to skipping breakfast yet it is unknown whether this effect on physical activity can be achieved with breakfasts that differ in nutrient composition. furthermore, breakfast consumption (compared to skipping) appears to play a role in maintaining proper function of our body clocks through a series of what are known as "Clock" genes. However, little research has focused on these genes over a longer period than 1 morning in relation to feeding breakfast.
Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate the effect of breakfasts of differing nutrient composition (e.g. high in protein or high in carbohydrate) result in similar, or different effects on our physical activity across the morning. Furthermore, this study will also aim to investigate the longer-term effects of eat or skipping breakfast on the clock genes that control our body clock. This will be achieved by asking participants to undergo a breakfast intervention in which they will be allocated to one of 3 breakfasts for 28 days. Participants will be asked to visit the laboratory on 3 occasions: (1) gentle exercise test for activity monitor set up (2) body mass assessment followed by a test meal with blood and urine samples (3) body mass assessment followed by a test meal with blood and urine samples. In between visits 2 and 3, participants will be provided with one of three breakfast meals for 28 days (high carbohydrate, high protein, or no breakfast) and will complete food diaries and physical activity monitoring during in order to study the effects of these breakfasts on physical activity. Furthermore, using blood samples taken during the test meals on visits 2 & 3, we will be able to see the effects of regular breakfast consumption upon our body clock.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/YH/0310
Date of REC Opinion
9 Nov 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion