New Research Reveals That 1 in 3 Children Are Going to School on an Empty Stomach

LONDON - A leading head teacher has raised concerns that parents who regularly send their children to school without breakfast could be harming their education. Mike Welsh, Vice President of the National Association for Head Teachers, spoke out after a survey looking at breakfast eating habits revealed that 31% of parents allow their children to set off for school with empty stomachs.

The nutella breakfast survey found that 30% of the school children missing out on this important meal feel tired as a result, with 11% admitting that they find their schoolwork more difficult as a result.

The survey also revealed that a third of children never eat breakfast as a family on school days and two thirds only manage twice a week. With 40% of kids and 39% of parents agreeing that a lack of time in the morning was the deciding factor in skipping breakfast at home.

Says Mr Welsh: ‘The results of this survey only confirm what 23 years experience as a teacher has already shown me: children need to start the day with full stomach to have a chance of achieving their full potential.

‘A hearty breakfast is as important to a child’s learning as a full night’s sleep. In the classroom you often see two children from identical backgrounds, yet they are engaging in learning in very different ways.

‘One will be yawning and distracted, while the other is focussed and alert. More often than not, the one difference between the two will be whether or not they had breakfast.’

Mr Welsh urges parents to get their children into a good morning routine, and involve their youngsters in the process of putting the meal together.

‘Get them involved,’ he says. ‘That way they learn some independence as well. And find the time to sit down with them and eat yourself. It’s well documented that chatting with a young child over a meal gives their language skills a boost as well as nurturing them on an emotional level.

‘You might need to set the alarm half an hour earlier, but by making breakfast an important starting point for every day, you are actually helping your child to learn.’

And to the 40% of parents surveyed who said that their children simply weren’t hungry at breakfast time and so didn’t eat, Mr Welsh says they must look at the bigger picture.

‘Breakfast is about giving your child the fuel he or she needs to get through until lunchtime. They might not feel hungry first thing, but by mid morning their energy levels will have dropped to such an extent they really struggle to concentrate in the classroom.

‘How can any parent expect their child to focus on learning to read, or a difficult numeracy lesson, on an empty stomach? This isn’t just about feeding bellies - it’s about feeding minds.’

Tricky Eaters

The kids themselves admitted that if they skipped breakfast at home 16% would eat crisps on the way to school, showing that they do have an appetite in the morning. Although a positive sign was that 27% would eat fruit on the way to school, it is important to offer a balanced diet with other food groups. Nutella on wholegrain toast is a good option that kids love; it is made with hazelnuts and releases its energy slowly, plus there is no need to use butter or alternative fat spreads.

The nutella making the most of breakfast time 2009 report established that the quality time dedicated to eating and preparing breakfast as a family is an optimum point where relationships can strengthen and parents can help their children develop.

Five steps to making breakfast a success

The research questioned parents and primary school aged children who had similar views about what eating breakfast together means to their families. Ranging from the emotional benefits of ‘chance to chat with family’ to the practical ‘provides fuel for the day’. 39% of parents also see breakfast as the best way to get quality family time without distractions like homework or TV.

The following five point plan developed by nutella and child psychologist Laverne Antrobus can help to get families into the daily habit of having breakfast together:

1. It’s all in the preparation: Get the children involved, help them to lay the table or, if old enough, make the toast

2. Variety is key: Allowing more choice and giving children foods they like will minimise disagreements and maintain focus on spending quality time together.

3. Give yourself a goal: Set targets that are realistic and can be achieved; think about how many times a week eating together is possible given everyone’s schedule

4. Don’t get distracted: Even if you can’t sit down all together every time avoid the daily distractions and noise of the TV & radio, it will allow you to focus on the conversation you are having

5. Eyes and ears: Listen to what they are saying, ask open ended questions and give them the opportunity to use this time to find out what’s on their mind.

Notes to Editors: Mike Welsh is vice president of the National Association for Head Teachers, as well as a head teacher at a school in Swindon.

Nutella has a GI value of 31, which makes it a low release energy food (Leatherhead Report, August 2007). A 15g portion of nutella can be a good option on wholegrain toast as an alternative to other typically used breakfast spreads such as jam, peanut butter and marmalade, as part of a balanced breakfast. When using nutella hazelnut spread, there is no need to use butter or an alternative fat spread. The recommended portion size is 15g. Per portion, nutella contains 80kcals, 4.6g fat (2.6g monounsaturates, 1.6g saturates and 0.5g polyunsaturates) and 8.3g sugar and it contains no artificial colours, preservatives or hydrogenated fat.

About Ferrero UK: Present in the UK since 1964, and part of a leading global company, Ferrero UK is recognised for iconic brands such as Ferrero Rocher, tic tac, nutella and Kinder Surprise: unique brands which are well loved throughout the UK. Ferrero is a family owned company.

Source: Ferrero UK and Nutella

For further information please contact Marie-Clare McAleese or Debi Clay at Cohn & Wolfe: marie-clare.mcaleese at cohnwolfe.com, T: +44(0)20-7331-5460; debi.clay at cohnwolfe.com, T: +44(0)20-7331-5390