- Study of nearly 30,000 students found those who skipped breakfast did worse on NAPLAN numeracy and reading tests than those who ate breakfast daily.
- One in ten students reported they never ate breakfast, about a half of students skipped breakfast some of the time, and about a third of students ate breakfast every day.
- Those who never ate breakfast were almost twice as likely to perform poorly on NAPLAN numeracy tests, and 1.6 times as likely to do poorly on reading tests.
- Reasons for breakfast skipping are complex but food insecurity is likely to be a key factor for many families.
- NAPLAN testing commences nationally March 12.
An Australian study has revealed the clear link between eating breakfast and academic success, with students who skip breakfast some or all of the time achieving poorer NAPLAN results than children who always eat breakfast.
In research published today in the journal Public Health Nutrition, a team from The Kids Research Institute Australia studied the student-reported breakfast habits of 28,651 South Australian school children aged 8-16.
They then examined how the same students performed in that year’s NAPLAN tests – standardised national literacy and numeracy tests undertaken by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 – to see if there was any link between the two.
Led by Senior Research Officer Dr Alanna Sincovich from The Kids’ Adelaide office, the study found 57.6 per cent of the students reported skipping breakfast sometimes (one to six days a week), while 10.1 per cent admitted they skipped breakfast every day.
“Overall, our findings show that the kids who skip breakfast – whether it’s sometimes or every day – are at increased risk for being at or below the national minimum standards for NAPLAN,” Dr Sincovich said.
“We saw this increased risk of low achievement scores across all five NAPLAN tests.
“Results were worst for those students who reported never eating breakfast, but those who sometimes skipped breakfast were also at increased risk of low achievement compared to students who reported eating breakfast every day.”
Study co-author Associate Professor Tess Gregory said previous international research had looked for links between breakfast-eating and academic success but had relied on smaller sample sizes or used non-standardised measures of achievement such as school grades.
“In our study we set out to use strong methodology to counter these limitations, using a large sample size, a standardised measure of achievement for all students, and controlling for factors that may confound the relationship between breakfast consumption and academic achievement such as age, gender and socio-economic status,” Associate Professor Gregory said.
“We all know that if we’re hungry, it’s harder to concentrate. We now have clear evidence of the link between skipping breakfast and poorer academic outcomes in Australian school children.”
The reasons behind breakfast skipping were not captured in the study, but there is likely to be a range of factors impacting families, including household food insecurity.
“For some families it may be a question of not having enough food to put on the table, for others it may be time pressures or children simply not liking breakfast, and for others, young people may be deliberately restricting food for reasons related to weight and body image,” Associate Professor Gregory said.
With NAPLAN testing commencing nationally on March 12, The Kids nutritionist Dr Amelia Harray said there were things parents could do to help encourage breakfast eating, if they can access and afford it.
“Involving children in decisions about what they would like to eat for breakfast, such as choosing what goes in a smoothie or a specific type of cereal, can give them a sense of buy-in, which supports consumption," Dr Harray said.
“Foods commonly eaten for breakfast in Australia, such as cereal with milk, fruit, toast, or eggs, are excellent sources of essential nutrients, including energy, calcium, protein, vitamins, and minerals, which help kids grow, concentrate, and stay active at school.
“Breakfast does not have to include typical 'breakfast foods' such as toast or cereal. Some children may prefer dinner leftovers, and that’s okay too.
“If your child refuses to eat breakfast, parents and carers can pack a substantial morning tea and lunch for school or offer food later in the day when their child has a greater appetite."
The study provides support for the continuation of School Breakfast Programs across Australia, and The Kids is committed to working with governments on the implementation of these programs to ensure children and families who need the program, are able to access it.
“We aim to undertake further research to unpack the reasons behind breakfast skipping and work with governments and the community to boost the rates of breakfast eating across all Australian children,” Associate Professor Gregory said.
Dr Sincovich and Associate Professor Gregory both hold adjunct positions in the School of Public Health at The University of Adelaide, and the University of Western Australia.