Trend in Breakfast Consumption among Primary School Children in Italy

Eating breakfast daily improves cognitive function, may contribute to learning and academic performance in children and can decrease the risk of childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to analyse how breakfast consumption changed in the period from 2008/9 to 2019 in Italy among children aged 8-9 years old participating in the OKkio alla SALUTE surveys and to explore the associations with some socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. Information about children's daily breakfast consumption (adequate, inadequate, and no breakfast) and the socio-demographic characteristics of the children and their mothers was collected through four questionnaires addressed to parents, children, teachers and head teachers. Data were analysed for the 272,781 children from 21 Italian regions from 2008/9 to 2019. The prevalence of adequate breakfast decreased from 60.7% in 2008/9 to 55.7% in 2019 and no breakfast from 10.9 to 8.7%; conversely, inadequate breakfast increased from 28.4 to 35.6%. Logistic regression models showed that the occurrence of inadequate or no breakfast consumption was significantly higher among girls, children living in the southern regions and children with less educated mothers. These findings highlight the need for effective interventions to increase daily breakfast consumption and its adequacy among children.

Automated summary

Eating breakfast daily is beneficial for cognitive function, learning, and academic performance in children, and it reduces the risk of childhood obesity. This study analyzed the changes in breakfast consumption among 8-9-year-old children in Italy from 2008/9 to 2019. The prevalence of adequate breakfast decreased over time, while inadequate breakfast increased. Girls, children living in the southern regions, and children with less educated mothers were more likely to have inadequate or no breakfast. Effective interventions are needed to promote daily breakfast consumption among children.