Study: Ready-To-Eat Cereal May Fight Obesity

Cereal Found To Reduce Obesity In Children

Researchers have discovered a key behavior in children that seems to make a difference when it comes to body weight: eating ready-to-eat cereal.

According to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, children who on most days ate a ready-to-eat cereal were 75 percent less likely to be overweight.

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Researchers tracked the eating habits of more than 600 children ages 4 to 12 across the United States using U.S. Department of Agriculture dietary intake data. Children who had eight or more servings of cereal in a two-week period had a significantly lower body mass index compared to children who consumed three or fewer servings during that same time period.

Among children who seldom ate cereal, 50 percent were overweight, translating to an average of 10 to 12 additional pounds for a 10-year-old boy.

The study tracked all types of cereal, including whole grain and pre-sweetened cereals. Researchers also report that children who frequently ate cereal consumed less fat and cholesterol and had higher intake of vitamin A, calcium, iron, zinc, and several B vitamins.

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