News
April 2005
Ensure Children Have A Nutritious Start To Life With The Best Start To The Day
Bad habits die hard, and with child obesity on the increase, it is vital for parents to install good nutritional values before kids hit the school canteens. A nutritious breakfast makes an important contribution to a child’s development, improving behaviour and helping fight against obesity.
Research however shows that 1 in 5 children are still going to school on an empty stomach, with breakfast clubs, school lunches and snack foods purchased outside the home fast becoming their main source of dietary needs. Breakfast cereal, a quick and convenient option for a busy family’s needs, helps kick start the body for the day ahead and improved physical and mental performance.
Breakfast Cereal In Child Development
Nutritionists and dietitians agree on the important role of breakfast in child nutrition and development.
Tom Sanders who is Professor of Nutrition & Dietetics at King’s College London comments:
“Breakfast cereals make a really helpful contribution to the micronutrient intake of young people. They also encourage children to consume milk, which they need for healthy bones and teeth.”
FACT
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Children obtain 20-30% of their micronutrient requirements from breakfast cereals with fortified cereals acting as an important dietary source of B vitamins, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron and zinc |
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Many breakfast cereals are good sources of fibre |
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Children who do not eat breakfast cereals have a low (or lower) intake of milk and are more likely to have less healthier diets overall |
Breakfast Cereal In Child Behaviour & Performance
Starting the day with a healthy breakfast can affect a child’s behaviour and performance for the rest of the day.
Child Psychologist Pat Spungin comments:
“A correctly balanced breakfast
gives children the energy they need for the morning’s physical & mental activities, as well as boost overall mood, performance and wellbeing. A lack of
breakfast has been shown to affect children’s attention, concentration and ultimately their behaviour.”
FACT
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Blood sugar levels are often very low first thing in the morning, which
can make children irritable. A cereal breakfast helps restore low blood sugar levels and this can improve behaviour |
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Research has shown that children who eat breakfast generally perform better on standardized achievement tests |
Childhood Obesity
High on the government’s agenda is obesity, a term used to describe the
accumulation of excessive amounts of body fat. It is not a disease but does increase the risk of developing health problems in later life, particularly diabetes. Children who are overweight are much more likely to become obese adults so it is important to recognise the contribution breakfast makes
in overall weight management.
FACT
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Eating a breakfast cereal, which is low in fat and high in carbohydrate, promotes the feeling of being full for longer so reducing mid-morning cravings for snacks |
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Children who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight than their counterparts who skip breakfast |
Another factor not to be ignored is that many children are now inactive, with
most of their time spent watching television or playing computer games, which expends little more energy than lying in bed. In addition to school sports, the holiday season provides a good opportunity for parents to encourage children to play outside rather than watch TV indoors.
However, what children eat and eat in excess is also partly to blame for the soaring rates of overweight. Snacks, fatty meat products and fried foods are popular with children. In order to control weight, experts advise limiting the intake of such foods but at the same time encouraging a well-balanced diet based on cereals, preferably wholegrain with milk, lean meat and fish and
plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Breakfast cereals were originally created as a nutritious and healthier way to start the day, and today there is a wide range of products to suit all tastes.
For further information contact the BCIS Team on:
Tel: 020 7815 3900
Email: info@breakfastcereal.org
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