Study shows link between breakfast quality and better educational outcomes

A new study has offered fresh evidence of a link between the quality of a child's breakfast and their educational outcomes.

Conducted by Cardiff University, the study of 5,000 nine to 11-year-olds from more than 100 primary schools sought to examine the link between breakfast consumption and quality and subsequent attainment in Key Stage 2 Teacher Assessments six to 18 months later.

It was found that the odds of achieving an above-average educational performance were up to twice as high for pupils who ate breakfast compared with those who did not. By contrast, eating unhealthy items like sweets and crisps for breakfast had no positive impact on educational attainment.

Other dietary behaviours, including the number of sweets, crisps, fruit and vegetable portions consumed throughout the rest of the day, were all significantly and positively associated with educational performance.

Study leader Hannah Littlecott from Cardiff University said: "This study offers the strongest evidence yet of links between aspects of what pupils eat and how well they do at school, which has significant implications for education and public health policy."