Do breakfast habits have an impact on psychosocial behavioral problems in the young? It appears so according to a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.¹

López-Gil from the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Cuenca, Spain and coresearchers analysed data from the Spanish National Health Survey (2017). A total of 3772 Spanish children and adolescents, aged 4-14 years, were included in this study. Questionnaires seeking information about breakfast status, place, and habits were provided by parents or their guardians.

Skipping breakfast was associated with 3-folds increased risk of psychosocial behavioral problems with an odds ratio of 3.29. Compared to eating breakfast at home, eating breakfast at a place other than home also doubled the risk of psychosocial behavioral problems with OR of 2.06.

The study also analysed the impact of different foods on behavioral issues. The risk of developing these behavioral problems declined when foods such as cheese, eggs, ham, etc., were avoided (OR 0.56). Regular intake of yogurt, milk, tea, coffee, etc., for breakfast was also associated with lower probability of experiencing psychosocial problems (OR 1.76). A similar reduction in the risk of behavioral problems was noted in children who also ate bread, toast, cereals, pastries, etc., for breakfast (OR 1.31).

According to the authors, this study has for the first time examined the influence of the habit of eating breakfast, place of eating breakfast and the breakfast foods/beverages on the likelihood of psychosocial behavioral problems in children and adolescents. While skipping breakfast increased the odds of the behavioral problems, eating breakfast outside the home was similarly detrimental to psychosocial health. The authors speculate that the family support may have a role to play in the favorable effects of eating breakfast at home, apart from more nutritious meals. Children therefore should be encouraged to regularly eat breakfast and have them at home instead of eating outside.

Reference

1. López-Gil JF, et al. Breakfast and psychosocial behavioural problems in young population: The role of status, place, and habits. Front Nutr. 2022 Aug. 23;9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.871238