INTRODUCTIONGenerally breakfast (BF) is labeled as the most important meal of the day. It follows the longest period of fasting. Therefore, missing out breakfast could result in decreased amount of nutrients for metabolism. Quality of the breakfast is also important to supply essential nutrients. Cereal based meals provide vitamins and minerals and they are lower in fat.1 Regular whole grain or high fiber breakfast consumption prevents obesity. It lowers the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases as well. 2A systematic review on effect of breakfast consumption on cognitive function has concluded that there are definite advantages in breakfast consumption and the positive effects are more evident in children when their nutritional status is compromised. 3 Other studies have shown positive effects of breakfast consumption on ABSTRACT Background: Balanced and healthy nutrition is needed in order to avert adverse effects of poor eating practices. Children and adults often miss breakfast due to many reasons including lack of time. Evidence indicates that breakfast consumption is more beneficial than skipping breakfast following a long overnight fast. Its effect on cognitive function is still under debate. Our aim was to conduct a preliminary study to investigate breakfast habits and its effect of certain aspects of cognition in medical students in a university in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. We assessed breakfast eating practices of final year medical students. Self-administered and questionnaire and trail making test for visual attention, task switching, speed of processing, and executive functioning were used as study instruments. Results: Results of 121 students were analysed. 55.4% skipped breakfast at least a day. Of them, 21% had their breakfast ≤3 days a week. Majority consumes a local meal based on rice or wheat flour. Commonest reason for missing the morning meal was lack of time (n=53, 79.1%). There was no significant difference was found in mean BMI and trail making score between breakfast skippers and non-skippers. Conclusions: Skipping breakfast among final year medical students is common. Lack of time due to busy schedules is highlighted as a possible reason for this. Skipping breakfast did not affect some aspects of cognition and body mass index significantly. A more comprehensive case control study among medical students, exploring neuro cognitive function related to breakfast habits is worthwhile.

Natural and anthropogenic activities have accelerated the coastal erosion in Sri Lanka by threatening the economic developments and livelihoods in coastal zones. However, there is a limited number of studies on coastal erosion in Sri Lanka due to the lack of observed wave climate data around the island. This study identified the impact of wave climate changes on the littoral drift of seven selected locations in Sri Lanka. The reanalyzed wave climate data were used to estimate sediment transport rate in seven locations using empirical methods. The chronological volumetric changes of Kalutara and Kalpitiya beach volume were estimated, as those beaches experienced severe morphological changes during the above period. The relationship among the capacity of coastal sediment transportation of littoral drift, actual sediment accretion (and erosion), and shoreline management activities was critically discussed by collecting data from diverse sources to its fullest extent. The wave climate becomes rough on the western and southern coasts during the southwest monsoon and the eastern coast during the northeast monsoon. The average wave direction periodically changes on the southwest coast, and thus, the littoral drift occurs southwards at the Kalutara coast. The Kalpitiya areas were the main sediment accretion areas, but the Kalplitiya peninsula is slowly eroding with the recently intensified wave climate. Coastal erosion is an integrated effect of shoreline management, wave climate change, and reduction of river sediment supply. Therefore, coastal erosion should be studied with accurate numerical and physical model studies for the betterment of erosion management.