The "Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism" presented a study that examined the effects of breakfast on about 100 inner-city students; one-third of them had been receiving poor nutrition. Before the study, these students had significantly more problems in school. Their grade point average was almost one point lower than students who ate breakfast, and they missed almost twice as many days of school. After six months, students who improved their nutritional intake averaged more than four fewer absences and increased their math scores by nearly a full point.
The journal "Physiology & Behavior" published a study on the impact of breakfast on elementary school students. Three groups of students ate either instant oatmeal, cold cereal or nothing. When students were asked to remember items from maps, the oatmeal eaters remembered one more item than the cold cereal eaters and three more than kids who fasted. Children who ate either breakfast scored significantly better when asked to remember and draw a shape they had seen. Their average score was almost 32, while those without breakfast averaged about 29. When students were asked to listen to a list of words and pay attention to specific combinations, those who avoided breakfast made almost twice as many mistakes.
The Spanish journal "Nutricion Hospitalaria" published an investigation into the relationship between breakfast quality and grades of early adolescents. The researchers compared overall marks at the start of the study with end-of-year grades. Although all students who ate better breakfasts improved, the greatest difference was seen among kids who originally weren't eating enough breakfast. Their average grades were more than two points higher than students who were still eating too little. Some students increased their breakfast intake by having a snack mid-morning.
Share Our Strength, a nonprofit organization, presented a social impact analysis that looked at research on childhood hunger, including lack of breakfast. Students who eat breakfast at school have better attendance rates: almost two more days each year. Their scores on standardized math assessments are almost 18 percent higher. Looking at the bigger picture, students with better attendance have a 20 percent higher graduation rate. Good attendance can lead to good grades, and students have a 25 percent higher graduation rate if they have at least a "B" average. Once you have a high school diploma, you earn at least $10,000 more annually, and the difference is even greater if you continue with your education.