IStock Photo 9799786 © Andrés Anzola

Do you ever wonder if you might be the only one left who bothers to eat breakfast? Turns out, adults are more likely to eat their proverbial Wheaties® than you might expect. The odds that an adult usually eats breakfast are 1 in 1.64 (61%), while only 1 in 2.56doesn’t bother. Of those that do, the majority—1 in 1.54(64.9%)—take their time eating it.

Common nutritional dogma states that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Americans seem to agree. The odds a person regularly tries to eat a healthy breakfast are 1 in 1.72(58.1%), and three quarters of the respondents to a 2008 survey (PDF) conducted by Braun Research for Panera Bread reported they would forgo 15 minutes of sleep in order to have time for breakfast. The majority surveyed wanted to eat their breakfast alone, choosing solitude over the chance to break bread with a local sports star or even the perky morning television anchor.

The most popular breakfast item is cold cereal (1 in 3.23), but traditional American pancakes (1 in 100) and waffles (also 1 in 100) are chosen far less than one might think. Bacon and eggs take second place with 1 in 9.09 adults eating them. Cereal is more commonly eaten in the Northeast, while eggs and bacon are more common for a southerner’s morning meal.

The gold star for breakfast eating habits goes to those 65 and older. Of this age group, 1 in 1.2(83.3%) individuals are regular breakfast eaters. The odds are lower for younger folks who have not yet reached retirement age, presumably because of their work schedules and busy lives. For them, breakfast might be last night’s dinner—1 in 2.56 Americans has eaten cold pizza in the morning.