By the time kids hit high school, as many as 20 to 30 percent of them are skipping breakfast regularly. There's a biological reason for bypassing breakfast -- teens' changing sleep habits can mean they wake up tired and nauseated, says Marcie Beth Schneider, pediatrician, member of the AAP's Committee on Nutrition and adolescent medicine physician in Greenwich, Conn. But if your teenager is skipping breakfast, she's missing out on some major health benefits.
Reduces Obesity Risk
Teens who eat breakfast are less likely to end up overweight or obese than their breakfast skipping peers, according to a 2008 study led by Mark Pereira, associate professor of epidemiology and community health at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and published in the journal "Pediatrics." Teens who skipped breakfast tended to consume more total fat and more saturated fat over the course of the day, and the more frequently a teen ate breakfast, the less likely he was to be obese, according to the study.
Increases Daily Nutritional Intake
If your teenager eats breakfast, she's more likely to get the recommended amount of nutrients over the course of the day, according to research conducted by the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and published in the "Journal of Adolescent Health." Teens who skip breakfast are twice as likely to have low iron levels and two to five times less likely to get the recommended amount of other vitamins and minerals because other meals during the day don't recoup the nutritional deficit caused by not eating breakfast.
Better School Habits
Eating breakfast can also help your child perform better in school. Eating breakfast has been linked to improved memory, higher grades, good attendance and low tardiness, according to KidsHealth.org. Kids who eat breakfast also concentrate better and have more energy throughout the day, says Schneider.
Helps Build Healthy Bones
The teen years are when your body's bone building process reaches its peak, and teens who eat breakfasts rich in calcium and vitamin D-enriched foods can help ensure the development of healthy bones. Breakfast foods are natural sources for both of these essential nutrients. Find calcium in low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. Choose enriched cereals, bread and eggs to boost your teen's vitamin D intake.
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