National School Breakfast Week Highlights Importance of Nutritious Morning Meals

The Cherokeean Herald
March 10, 2010

Healthy breakfast promotes good grades, improves attendance and reduces risk of obesity

 

AUSTIN - Anyone keeping score knows breakfast is for champions, and thanks to schools across the state more young Texans can be winners. As the nation celebrates National School Breakfast Week, March 8-12, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples encourages more children and parents to take advantage of school breakfasts.

"Good grades start with a good, nutritious breakfast," Commissioner Staples said. "Every day in our state, nearly 1.4 million breakfasts are served to children through our federally funded School Breakfast Program. While I wish every child had breakfast around their kitchen table with their parents, we know that is not happening. So, let's encourage our children to enjoy the nutritious breakfasts being served at Texas schools. Not only is it the most important meal of the day, a nutritious breakfast is also the best way to help our Texas students rise and shine."

Studies show children who eat breakfast have higher test scores, lower rates of school absences and are less hyperactive than children who skip or only occasionally eat breakfast. Medical News Today, an online outlet for health headlines, reports that children who skip breakfast tend to eat more snacks and are twice as likely to be overweight. Conversely, children with access to school breakfast typically have healthier diets and often choose foods with less fat and more vitamins.

Last fall, Commissioner Staples launched the "Texans Bring It!" campaign as a call to action for all Texans, particularly tweens and teens, to bring more healthy foods and activities into their lives.

"School meals are a great way to ensure children are getting a healthy diet, but they are not enough," Commissioner Staples said. "Parents, teachers and community leaders need to lead by example and encourage the 3E's of Healthy Living - Education, Exercise and Eating Right. National School Breakfast Week serves as a good reminder that a nutritious morning meal available at school is a great start to a great day and an overall healthier lifestyle."

See the article: http://www.thecherokeean.com/news/2010-03-10/Food/NATIONAL_SCHOOL_BREAKFAST_WEEK_HIGHLIGHTS_IMPORTAN.html