Breakfast & Brain Power
Research shows that eating a nutritious breakfast supports
learning and academic achievement. Unfortunately, every
day, many students miss out on those benefits of breakfast.
Implementing robust school breakfast programs can help ensure
that all students reach their full potential.
Academic Achievement
An analysis of nearly 1,400 schools in California found that
eating breakfast is associated with higher school-wide
standardized test scores. Research shows that students who
increase their participation in school breakfast also increase
their math grades. Students who eat breakfast experience
improved cognitive performance, visual perception, and
short-term memory compared to students who do not eat
breakfast.
Learning Environment
Research shows that students who are well nourished are more
likely to get along with their peers and less likely to be
suspended from school. Students who eat breakfast report
feeling more motivated at school than students who do not eat
breakfast. Schools that offer Classroom Breakfast experience a
decrease in absenteeism, tardiness, and disciplinary
suspensions. These benefits of breakfast make for productive
classroom environments that help all students learn and
achieve.
For more details and complete references to research
studies linking Breakfast and Brain Power, please see this
fact sheet: