Kiwi kids skipping breakfast

Researchers from the University of Auckland analysed data from the 2002 National Children’s Nutrition Survey, which investigated the diets of 3,275 children aged 5-14 years.

They found that boys, children aged 5-10 years, New Zealand European children and those from more affluent neighbourhoods were more frequent breakfast eaters.

Older children from the least affluent areas were the most likely to skip breakfast.

There was also a link between skipping breakfast and higher body mass index (BMI).

Those children who missed breakfast were significantly less likely to get their 5+ a day of fruit and vegetables and were also more likely to eat snack foods.

The researchers highlight that efforts to encourage breakfast consumption need to be targeted at children from more deprived areas.

Source: Journal of the American Diatetic Association, April 2007