A recent study revealed that children who regularly skip breakfast have lower life satisfaction than those who regularly eat breakfast. The study included about 150,000 children and young people around the world.
The study, published in BMC Nutrition on July 16, shows a near-linear relationship between increased breakfast frequency and increased life satisfaction among children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 in 42 countries.
The study, led by Anglia Ruskin University in Britain and the University of the Americas in Ecuador, found that the highest life satisfaction was found in participants who ate breakfast daily, while the lowest life satisfaction was found in children who never ate breakfast.
Among the 42 countries studied, children in Portugal who ate breakfast daily had the highest levels of life satisfaction, while children from Romania who never ate breakfast had the lowest levels of life satisfaction, suggesting that socioeconomic factors may influence the results.
Breakfast enhances concentration and memory
“Our study was comprehensive and found a consistent association between breakfast frequency and life satisfaction, and there are several possible reasons for this,” said lead study author Dr Lee Smith, professor of public health at Anglia Ruskin University. “Previous studies have shown lower mood among adolescents who skip breakfast and also higher rates of anxiety, stress and depression.”
Furthermore, eating an adequate breakfast provides the energy and nutrients needed for optimal cognitive function, and enhances concentration, memory and learning ability.
Another reason for these results could be the combination of vitamins and minerals we get from our daily breakfast, and not getting them regularly could lead to less life satisfaction in the long run. A daily routine that includes breakfast can also create structure and positivity for the rest of the day.
“The results showed some inconsistency between countries, which may be influenced by different cultures, lifestyles and socio-economic factors,” says Dr Smith. “However, our results show that in all countries examined, life satisfaction is generally higher among those who eat breakfast daily than among those who never eat it.”