Effects of missing breakfast on the cognitive functions of school children of differing nutritional status

Abstract

We examined the effects of omitting breakfast on the cognitive functions of three groups of children: stunted, nonstunted controls, and previously severely malnourished. They were admitted to a metabolic ward twice. After an overnight fast half the children received breakfast on their first visit and a cup of tea the second time. The treatment order was reversed for the other half. When breakfast was omitted, both the stunted and previously malnourished groups responded similarly. The malnourished groups had lower scores in fluency and coding whereas the control group had higher scores in arithmetic. The children were divided into wasted and nonwasted groups. Wasted children were adversely affected in the digit span backwards tests, and wasted members of the malnourished groups were adversely affected in efficiency of problem solving and those in the control group in digit span forwards. These results indicate that cognitive functions are more vulnerable to missing breakfast in poorly nourished children.

Ramadan, fasting and educational outcomes

“…Previous research documents that observing the Ramadan fast, leads to reduced activity, less desire to study and lower and concentration ability among a majority of the subjects (Afifi, 1997). Also research on the link between nutrition and cognition strongly suggests that nutrient intake is important for the cognitive functioning of schoolchildren (Belot and James, 2009;Benton, 2008;Maluccio et al, 2006;Muthayya et al, 2007;Pollitt et al, 1998;Simeon and Grantham-McGregor, 1989;Taras, 2005;Waterhouse et al, 2008).…”

“…5 An extensive experimental literature shows the importance of nutrient intake for the cognitive functioning of schoolchildren (Benton, 2008;Muthayya et al, 2007;Simeon and Grantham-McGregor, 1989;Taras, 2005;Wesnes et al, 2003). The vast majority of this literature focuses on short-run effects of short-lived interventions, and not much is known about long-run effects or the effects of long-lasting interventions.…”

Evidence for an improvement in cognitive function following treatment of Schistosoma japonicum infection in Chinese primary schoolchildren.

“…All children received a snack and a drink before testing to ensure they were not hungry during the test since hunger has been shown to affect cognitive function. 30 Confounding/mediating variables. Several confounding and/or mediating variables were measured, the following of which were of particular relevance to the study of the effects of helminth infection on cognition.…”

Impact of School Feeding Programme on Access to Basic Education: The Case of South Tongu District of the Volta Region, Ghana

“…Poor health and nutrition are known to affect children's ability to learn (Pollit 1990;Simeon & Grantham-McGregor 1989). It is therefore, important to include health and nutrition inputs as strategies to improve academic performance.…”