The effect of skipping breakfast on health, especially in adults, remains a controversial topic. A secondary data analysis was conducted to examine associations between breakfast eating patterns and weight loss, nutrient intake, and metabolic parameters among participants with metabolic syndrome (MetS) (n = 240). Three randomly selected 24-h dietary recalls were collected from each participant at baseline and at the one-year visit. Skipped breakfast was seen in 32.9% at baseline and in 17.4% at the one-year visit, respectively. At baseline, after adjustment for demographics and physical activity, participants who ate breakfast had a higher thiamin, niacin, and folate intake than did breakfast skippers (p < 0.05); other selected parameters including body weight, dietary quality scores, nutrient intake, and metabolic parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups (p > /= 0.05). From baseline to one year, after adjustment for covariates, mean fat intake increased by 2.7% (95% confidence intervals (CI): -1.0, 6.5%) of total energy in breakfast skippers in comparison to the 1.2% decrease observed in breakfast eaters (95% CI: -3.4, 1.1%) (p = 0.02). Mean changes in other selected parameters showed no significant differences between breakfast skippers and eaters (p > 0.05). This study did not support the hypothesis that skipping breakfast has impact on body weight, nutrient intakes, and selected metabolic measures in participants with MetS.

Moderators and Presenters: Lorraine S. Cordeiro, U Massachusetts Amherst, Christopher Denning, U Massachusetts Boston, Herpreet Thind, U Massachusetts Lowell, Rachel Kulick, U Massachusetts Dartmouth Session Description: The inaugural Community Research Innovative Scholars will present their perspectives regarding key issues, opportunities and/or challenges regarding community-engaged research. The scholarship of engagement provides opportunities to promote the development of human capital, in the classroom, within communities, in academia, and within the profession. Scholars will discuss the knowledge generation, economic, social and educational impact of their work on their universities and communities. Innovative engagement practices, strategies to address health and educational disparities, and scholarship impacts will be discussed in this panel.

Abstract: The mission of the Department of Nutrition, UMass Amherst, is to provide excellence and innovation in teaching, research, and outreach by applying a scientific foundation that addresses the nutritional needs of individuals and diverse populations. We conduct laboratory and applied community-based research that spans a wide range of issues. Housed within the Department of Nutrition, the UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program (NEP) collaborates with more than 100 agencies and provides nutrition education in over 46 communities in Massachusetts. This poster presents 1) the range of work undertaken by faculty, students, and NEP; and 2) highlight faculty research areas as well as emerging priorities for clinical and community-based nutrition research. We are interested in establishing collaborations for improved nutrition and health outcomes with researchers and community organizations across the Commonwealth. Introduction: Nutrition research is important to establish dietary requirements, investigate the metabolic basis for therapies, and translate research to dietary behaviors and policies to improve health and prevent disease. The UMass Department of Nutrition research ranges from cellular and metabolic investigations to community-based and policy approaches. With over $2.5 million in annual grant expenditures, the Department ranks among the top of the university departments in expenditures per faculty. Nutrition faculty utilize laboratory facilities on the UMass campus, along with collaborative community research in Springfield, Holyoke, Lowell, and other communities in Massachusetts, nationally and internationally. In addition, the UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program provides nutrition education to thousands of limited income families annually through eight community-based sites throughout the state.