The Importance of Breakfast in School-Aged Children

Key messages:

• Regular breakfast consumption has been associated with better diet quality and healthier weight status – missing out on a nutritious breakfast can make it harder for children and young people to get enough of the nutrients they need.
• Skipping breakfast is a frequent behaviour in young people, particularly adolescents, and those from lower socio‐economic groups, who are less likely to meet dietary recommendations and nutritional targets.
• Breakfast consumption could improve the nutritional intakes of the most vulnerable young people and may help to address inequalities in educational outcomes at least in the short term.