Breakfast

Research has found that eating breakfast improves overall diet quality and nutrient intake as well as enhances cognition and academic performance. The Bogalusa Heart Study of school children and lifestyle factors related to cardiovascular risk, found that children who ate breakfast had higher dietary intakes of protein, fat, carbohydrate, cholesterol, sodium, and potassium compared to those who did not eat breakfast. Children who ate breakfast met a larger portion of the RDA for certain vitamins and minerals than children who did not eat breakfast. Children who skipped breakfast could not make up for the missed energy and nutrient intakes of breakfast during other meals compared to those who did eat breakfast.
Eating breakfast not only improves daily nutrient intake and nutritional status but also enhances children’s ability to learn. Children who are hungry regardless of income level have difficulty learning. When a child is hungry it reduces the ability to pay attention, respond to the environment, and obtain  nformation.
Low income is not the only reason children go to school without breakfast. Parents’ work schedules often limit their time to prepare and serve breakfasts. Some children have long bus rides to school and do not make time to eat breakfast. Some children say that they are not hungry in the mornings and would rather sleep than eat breakfast.
The impact of breakfast on children’s school performance was evaluated in a pilot study in Minnesota. Four elementary schools were used and breakfast was served free to all students. Results showed that student attention increased, there were fewer behavioral problems, less visits to the nurse, and an increase in math and reading scores. The availability of breakfast, whether at home or school, can result in a general increase in learning and achievement.
Breakfast may also be the only time during the day when a child consumes milk or fruit juice. This makes breakfast an important meal to ensure adequate intakes of vitamins C and D, calcium and other nutrients which are critical during the years of growth and development. Breakfast may also be the only meal that children regularly eat at home and when parents might have some say about what is consumed. Breakfast should supply one- quarter to one-third of the days protein plus fiber-rich complex carbohydrates and a small amount of fat, which is a major part of a child’s daily energy supply. The breakfasts served in school programs usually meet most, if not all, of these nutrient needs.