Trying to lose weight? – Eat breakfast, according to research produced by the University of Bath.

The report comes as bakers promote the meal occasion, with Roberts Bakery recently teaming up with Kerrygold to teach schoold children how to put together a healthy but delicious breakfast for Breakfast Week.

Originally published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the research compared two groups of obese people aged between 21 and 60, and found that those who ate at least 700kcal by 11am took more exercise in the morning than those who didn’t eat before noon, and only drank water. Those who ate breakfast also ate less later in the day, so both groups ate a similar total amount for the day.

The study, part of the Bath Breakfast Project, which is investigating the effects of breakfast on health, allowed participants to eat a breakfast of their choice. Researchers now want to extend the research to examine the effects of different breakfast choices, from full English through to continental.

Dr James Betts, lead researcher, said: “Despite many people offering opinions about whether or not you should eat breakfast, to date there has been a lack of rigorous scientific evidence showing how, or whether, breakfast might cause changes in our health. Our studies highlight some of these impacts, but how important breakfast is still really depends on the individual and their own personal goals.

“For example, if weight loss is the key, there is little to suggest that just having breakfast or skipping it will matter. However, based on other markers of a healthy lifestyle, like being more active or controlling blood sugar levels, then there’s evidence that breakfast may help.”

Recent research by the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) found that bread features in 28% of UK breakfasts.