Breakfast May Have a Stronger Connection to Happiness Than We Think

According to a new study published in the Nutrition Journal, children and adolescents who eat breakfast are more likely to report higher life satisfaction compared to those who skip the meal. An international research team surveyed approximately 150,000 children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 from 42 countries, including Russia, the UK, Scotland, Canada, several European nations, and countries in the Middle East.

In the survey, participants were asked, "How often do you usually have breakfast?" and provided answers for both school days and weekends. They were also asked to rate their quality of life on a scale from 0 to 10. After controlling for factors like gender, age, socioeconomic status, fruit and vegetable consumption, sweets intake, family meal frequency, physical activity, and body mass index, the results became clear.

Participants who reported eating breakfast every day, regardless of whether it was a school day or weekend, had the highest life satisfaction scores, averaging between 6.3 and 6.6. At the other end of the spectrum, those who never ate breakfast had the lowest life satisfaction scores, ranging from 5.5 to 5.8.

While there were some inconsistencies between countries, possibly influenced by cultural, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors, the study consistently showed that individuals who ate breakfast daily reported higher life satisfaction than those who skipped it.

The exact reason why breakfast is so closely linked to mood in children and adolescents is still unclear, but researchers have some theories. One is that starting the day with a nutritious breakfast provides the energy and nutrients necessary for optimal cognitive functioning, enhancing concentration, memory, and learning abilities. Another theory suggests that the vitamins and minerals consumed during breakfast, if taken regularly, could contribute to better overall life satisfaction. Additionally, the routine of having breakfast may set a positive tone for the rest of the day, fostering a constructive and uplifting mood.

Reference: López-Gil, J.F., Tully, M.A., Cristi-Montero, C. et al. Is the frequency of breakfast consumption associated with life satisfaction in children and adolescents? A cross-sectional study with 154,151 participants from 42 countries. Nutr J 23, 78 (2024).