Breakfast consumption, active travel, physical activity for daily glucose control among adolescents

Physical activity and dietary interventions that can moderate daily glucose responses are at the cornerstone of cardiometabolic disease prevention. Adolescents are a key population to target because adolescent type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance are increasing globally at an alarming rate, particularly in those living with overweight or obesity. Further, postprandial glucose responses can be exacerbated by pubertal insulin resistance alongside declines in physical activity levels and breakfast consumption frequency that occur in the child-adolescent transition. This matters because adolescence is a critical time to promote healthy behaviours that can be sustained across the lifespan for disease prevention, which is more effective than a cure. Physical activity and breakfast consumption offer potential effective routes for maintaining good glucose control among adolescents. Yet, there is little evidence in this distinct population, potentially in free-living settings. With climate change highlighting the timely importance of promoting health behaviours with planetary co-benefits, active travel is a key physical activity opportunity in close proximity to the breakfast meal that has not been studied in the context of glycaemia among adolescents. This PhD research conducted by Roberto Salvaggio (PhD student) and supervised by Dr Julia Fruer, Dr Michael Newell and Dr Lindsey Smith aims to enhance understanding of the links between habitual breakfast consumption, active travel, physical activity and glycaemia among adolescents. The research includes a series of studies with participants aged 11 to 15 years old to: 1) evaluate appropriate methods to measure breakfast habits, active travel and glycaemia, and 2) use between-participant and within-participant data analysis techniques examine the role of habitual breakfast, active travel and physical activity in promoting healthy daily glycaemic responses among adolescents. The findings will help to inform evidence-based recommendations related to breakfast consumption, physical activity, active travel and glycaemia to improve the health of adolescents.

Having good control of blood sugar levels during childhood and the teenage years is good for long term health. Being physically active and eating breakfast regularly can help within maintaining healthy blood sugar levels across the day. Yet, many children and teenagers do not engage in the recommended levels of physical activity, and often skip breakfast, putting them at increased risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Active travel to and from school, such as walking and cycling, is an easy way to add physical activity to the day, and has important co-benefits for the planet related to reduced carbon emissions and air pollution. There is little evidence on how breakfast, active travel and physical activity work together to help control blood sugar levels in adolescents. Due to this evidence gap, our research took measures of breakfast eating habits, active travel, physical activity and blood sugar levels over a 7-day period in a group of 11- to 15-year-olds. It looked at: 1) the best ways to measure breakfast, active travel and blood sugar levels and 2) how breakfast, physical activity and active travel can help to control levels of sugar in the blood across the day. The findings will help to develop recommendations related to breakfast eating, physical activity, active travel and blood sugar that can improve the health of young people.