Children who eat cereal are more alert

Aug 30 2005

Research conducted by the Cardiff University School of Psychology has revealed children who eat cereal are more alert and have fewer memory and attention span difficulties than those who skip breakfast.

The research, led by Professor Andrew Smith, has shown that eating breakfast helps children be better prepared for school than those who skip the first meal of the day, by being less emotionally distressed, less tired and less anxious.

The survey, commissioned by Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, examined the behaviour of 213 children aged between four and 11 from 153 families over a two week period.

It tested for general mental ability including memory and attention span in a controlled situation in order to get a precise view of the impact of breakfast cereals on mind and body. 

"This extensive survey provides a broad range of evidence to demonstrate that children who eat breakfast are significantly more likely to perform better in the classroom," said Professor Smith. 

"It is clear that starting the day with cereal enhances mental, cognitive and physical ability."

The results revealed children who start the day with cereal are:

• 9 per cent more alert
• 11 per cent less emotionally distressed
• 13 per cent less tired
• 17 per cent less anxious
• 10 per cent less likely to suffer memory and attention span difficulties, than those that have no breakfast
• 33 per cent less likely to suffer from stomach complaints.