Research released by the Breakfast Cereal Information Service shows that, although the majority of UK adults understand the importance of breakfast for improving physical and mental performance and believe it to be the most important meal of the day, 40% of teenagers are still ignoring the benefits.
When they do eat breakfast, four out of five teenagers opt for a bowl of breakfast cereal, which is also the way the majority of teenagers consume milk. However parents report that a number of factors are consistently preventing their teenage children from eating breakfast in the morning, with:
- Just over half of teenagers claiming not to be hungry
- Almost half getting out of bed too late
- More than two in five complaining that they can’t be bothered to eat breakfast
As a result, experts warn that teenagers are missing out on important nutrients.
Prof. Tom Sanders, Head of Nutritional Sciences at Kings College London, comments: “There is a worrying trend for kids to skip breakfast and not consume milk. A cereal breakfast makes a major contribution to some key nutrients such as fibre, riboflavin, folate and calcium that are often in short supply in the overall teenage diet. These nutrients help maintain health as well promote growth and development.
“Breakfast cereal with low fat milk makes a good start for the day especially during the exam period because a carbohydrate rich meal in the morning improves mental performance.”
Dr Judith Bryans, Director and Registered Nutritionist at The Dairy Council, said: “Calcium requirements are highest during the teenage years as the majority of our bones are formed during this period. Unfortunately, the most recent diet and nutrition survey suggests that many teenagers do not get enough calcium. Having a bowl of breakfast cereal with milk would help them to increase their calcium intake along with many other nutrients their bodies need for good health.”
Reassuringly, the data also shows that nearly a third of adults are eating breakfast more regularly than they did 12 months ago. Over a third of these people claim this is because they have experienced the benefits of eating it.
Prof. Sanders concludes: “Although most parents now understand the benefits of breakfast, it’s imperative that they pass this message on to their children. The good news is that a nutritious breakfast of cereal with milk is a quick and convenient breakfast option, which can be easily fitted into the daily morning routine.”
For more information on the health benefits of breakfast cereal, visit www.breakfastcereal.org.
Research conducted by YouGov between 25th April – 1st May 2008
| What's Next? | If you enjoyed this you'll love: |
|---|---|
 Get EB daily free in your email Subscribe via our RSS feed Leave a comment and have your say |
|
O comments on "Teenagers risk development by skipping breakfast"
Comment Now!