Have you ever skipped breakfast, either intentionally or on purpose? Likely, the answer is yes, as this has become a common trend among teenagers. But did you know that one skipped meal affects more than just your hunger levels? According to American University, “learning and health are mutual.” Skipping breakfast for example, can make morning classes extremely difficult, given one must wait roughly six hours before lunch. Furthermore, without an adequate breakfast, you lack the nutrients your body needs to produce energy needed for concentration. Youth Risks Behavior Survey (YRBS) shows a trending decline in breakfast consumption from 2009. The CDC found that not only does this affect cognitive performance, but lack of adequate nutrients is suggested to greatly impact levels of stress and anxiety. According to a biannual test recorded in 2023 by the YRBS, only 27% of students claimed to eat breakfast all seven days of the week, while around 50% of students consumed breakfast less than 3 days a week, and about 13% didn’t eat breakfast once in seven days.
One of the best solutions to this growing problem is for us to learn to manage our time better. Studies show that students often skip breakfast due to feeling rushed from sleeping in. So, for you, setting an earlier bedtime means that more time can be carved out in the morning for you to find a breakfast. Additionally, making your breakfast the night before creates an easy, 1 minute grab in the morning. Good options include yogurt, a bagel and cream cheese, muffins, and more. So, the next time you think about skipping breakfast, consider how it will not only affect your ability to focus, but also your mood throughout the day.
Bibliography
Trietiak, Amy . “American.edu.” American University, 2016, www.american.edu/cas/health/nutrition/nutrition-academic-performance.cfm.
CDC. “Skipping Breakfast and Academic Grades, Persistent Feelings of Sadness or Hopelessness, and School Connectedness among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023 .” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8 Oct. 2024, www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/su/su7304a10.htm.
American Academy of Pediatrics. “Breakfast for Learning: Why the Morning Meal Matters.” HealthyChildren.org, 31 July 2023, www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Breakfast-for-Learning.aspx.
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