A recent study of nearly 150,000 children worldwide found that kids who regularly skip breakfast are less happy than those who eat it every day.
The research, published in the BMC Nutrition Journal, was conducted by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Universidad de las Americas.
It shows a strong link between eating breakfast frequently and having higher life satisfaction among children and teenagers aged 10 to 17 in 42 countries, including Britain.
Children who ate breakfast every day reported the highest life satisfaction scores, while those who never ate breakfast had the lowest.
In Portugal, children who ate breakfast daily had the highest levels of life satisfaction.
On the other hand, the lowest life satisfaction was found in Romanian children who never ate breakfast, suggesting that economic factors might also play a role.
In England, children who ate breakfast daily had the fifth lowest average life satisfaction scores among the 42 countries studied. Only Romania, Hungary, Germany, and Austria had lower scores.
Professor Lee Smith, a public health expert at ARU and the senior author of the study, explained, “Our study found a consistent link between how often children eat breakfast and how satisfied they are with life. There are several possible reasons for this. Other studies have shown that kids who skip breakfast often have lower moods and higher levels of anxiety, stress, and depression.”
Smith added, “Eating a good breakfast provides the energy and nutrients needed for the brain to function well, improving concentration, memory, and learning. Also, the vitamins and minerals we get from breakfast are important. Missing out on these regularly might lead to lower life satisfaction over time. Having a regular breakfast routine can also give structure to the day and set a positive tone.”
The study did find some differences between countries, which might be due to different cultures, lifestyles, and economic conditions. However, in all the countries examined, children who ate breakfast daily reported higher life satisfaction than those who skipped it.
In summary, this research highlights the importance of eating breakfast for children’s overall happiness and well-being.
A regular morning meal can boost mood, improve brain function, and provide essential nutrients, contributing to a happier and more satisfying life for kids. So, making sure children start their day with a healthy breakfast could be a simple way to improve their overall quality of life.
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