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A recent study led by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in collaboration with Universidad de las Americas has unveiled compelling evidence linking the frequency of breakfast consumption to greater life satisfaction among children and adolescents. Published in the BMC Nutrition Journal, the research highlights a nearly linear relationship between eating breakfast regularly and enhanced life satisfaction in young people aged 10 to 17 across 42 countries, including Britain.
The comprehensive study, which involved 154,151 participants, demonstrates that children who eat breakfast daily report higher levels of life satisfaction compared to those who skip this crucial meal. Notably, participants from Portugal, who consistently ate breakfast, showed the highest life satisfaction scores. Conversely, Romanian children who never had breakfast exhibited the lowest levels of life satisfaction, suggesting that socio-economic factors might also play a role.
In the UK, children who had breakfast every day were found to have the fifth lowest mean life satisfaction scores, trailing behind those in Romania, Hungary, Germany, and Austria. This finding raises questions about potential regional differences in dietary habits and their effects on well-being.
Senior author Lee Smith, Professor of Public Health at ARU, remarked on the significance of the study, stating, “Our research consistently shows an association between the frequency of breakfast consumption and life satisfaction. Previous studies have linked skipping breakfast to lower mood, increased anxiety, and higher levels of stress and depression among adolescents. An adequate breakfast provides essential energy and nutrients crucial for cognitive function, concentration, memory, and learning.”
Professor Smith also highlighted the role of vitamins and minerals in breakfast foods, suggesting that regular consumption might contribute to a more positive mood and overall life satisfaction. “A structured routine that includes breakfast can positively influence the entire day, enhancing both physical and mental well-being.”
While the study reveals some regional inconsistencies, possibly influenced by cultural, lifestyle, and socio-economic factors, the overarching trend remains clear: children who eat breakfast daily report higher life satisfaction than those who skip it altogether.
For more details, refer to the full study: José Francisco López-Gil et al, Is the frequency of breakfast consumption associated with life satisfaction in children and adolescents? A cross-sectional study with 154,151 participants from 42 countries, Nutrition Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12937-024-00979-5.
Journal Information: Nutrition Journal
