Breakfast Consumption and Cognitive Skills of Higher Primary School Children: Correlates of Child Factors

Abstract

A study was conducted at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, to examine the influence of child-related factors on breakfast consumption and cognitive skills among higher primary school children. The sample included 120 children, with 60 each from rural and urban areas of Dharwad district. Data on general information and breakfast consumption patterns were collected using a self-structured questionnaire, and cognitive skills were assessed using the Wechsler’s Intelligence Scale for School Children (WISC-III). Results revealed that regular breakfast consumers had significantly higher cognitive indices than irregular consumers in both rural and urban areas. In rural areas, both regular and irregular breakfast consumers exhibited average levels of cognitive indices, while in urban areas, regular breakfast consumers demonstrated high-average cognitive indices, and irregular consumers showed only average levels. Female children had higher cognitive skills than males, younger children performed better than older ones, later-born children scored higher than first-borns, and children with normal weight had better cognitive scores compared to underweight peers. These findings emphasize the crucial role of regular breakfast consumption in enhancing cognitive performance and overall academic potential among school children. Therefore, there is a strong need for structured guidance, counseling, and awareness programs to encourage consistent breakfast habits among higher primary school children, which could contribute to improved nutrition, better cognitive development, and enhanced learning outcomes.