Why Kids Should Always Eat Their Breakfast

A new study from the University of Leeds has confirmed breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, with data suggesting that lower GCSE grades correlate with regularly skipping a morning meal. The study is the first to pinpoint a connection between breakfast and academic performance for British secondary school students. The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health and reveal students who regularly eat breakfast score two grades higher, the equivalent of 10.25 points, in GCSE exams than their meal skipping counterparts.

"Our study suggests that secondary school students are at a disadvantage if they are not getting a morning meal to fuel their brains for the start of the school day," says Dr Katie Adolphus, lead researcher of the study.

Study highlights national food poverty issue

For Adolphus and her team, the study highlights the pressing issue of food poverty in the UK. According to Oxfam, more than half a million Brits are reliant on food parcels, with almost two million undernourished.

"The UK has a growing problem of food poverty, with an estimated half a million children arriving at school each day too hungry to learn. Previously we have shown that eating breakfast has a positive impact on children's cognition," says Adolphus. "This research suggests that poor nutrition is associated with worse results at school."

More than 16% of secondary school children skip breakfast

While the government runs a means-tested free school lunch program designed to ensure all students enjoy a midday meal, breakfast isn't factored into the food poverty issue. Some schools privately fund breakfast clubs and others receive support from organisations such as Charities Magic Breakfast and Family Action, though overall more than 24,000 schools across the country can't subsidise breakfast for students living on the poverty line.

Alex Cunningham, CEO of British based non-profit organisation Magic Breakfast says the study offers "valuable insight" into the nationwide issue of food poverty and the importance of "removing barriers to learning" in British schools. Recent figures released by the government suggest more than 16% of secondary school children skip a morning meal, an alarming trend given the recent study exploring the intrinsic link between breakfast and academic performance.

"We are grateful to the University of Leeds for highlighting this positive impact and welcome their findings, highlighting once again the importance of our work with schools," says Cunningham.

From tackling food poverty to developing cures for brain conditions like dementia, science is at the forefront of modern medicine and public health. For a closer look at the latest breakthroughs from Dementias Platform UK, don't miss 'Changing Dementia Horizons: DPUK Progress Outlined.