Menu
29/09/2003
Healthy breakfast and school performance linked
Girls need a more satisfying breakfast than boys if they are to perform at their best in the classroom – a new University of Ulster (UU) study has revealed.
Dr Barbara Stewart, from the Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health at UU, led the research project, where pupils were fed a breakfast of toast or beans and toast and then tested on cognitive ability.
The researchers found that boys performed better on tests of attention and memory when they were a little hungry whilst girls performed better on the same tests when they were satiated.
“The link between having breakfast and performance at school or work is well established but this research suggests girls need a more satisfying breakfast than boys to perform at their best,” said Dr Stewart.
The research, which is due to be presented at the 9th European Nutrition Conference in Rome this week, also found that when cognitive tasks were made more complicated, participants eating beans on toast for breakfast performed better than their counterparts eating toast only.
“What this study shows is that cognitive performance maybe determined by a combination of factors not simply the type of breakfast consumed. We believe that although breakfast type is an important determining factor, it must be considered in relation to gender, mood and satiety," she said.
(gmcg)
Dr Barbara Stewart, from the Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health at UU, led the research project, where pupils were fed a breakfast of toast or beans and toast and then tested on cognitive ability.
The researchers found that boys performed better on tests of attention and memory when they were a little hungry whilst girls performed better on the same tests when they were satiated.
“The link between having breakfast and performance at school or work is well established but this research suggests girls need a more satisfying breakfast than boys to perform at their best,” said Dr Stewart.
The research, which is due to be presented at the 9th European Nutrition Conference in Rome this week, also found that when cognitive tasks were made more complicated, participants eating beans on toast for breakfast performed better than their counterparts eating toast only.
“What this study shows is that cognitive performance maybe determined by a combination of factors not simply the type of breakfast consumed. We believe that although breakfast type is an important determining factor, it must be considered in relation to gender, mood and satiety," she said.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 December 2013
Call For E-Cig Ban In Wales
Public Health Wales (PHW) has called for electronic cigarettes to be banned in public places, a move it claims would help prevent their efforts to encourage people to quit being undermined.
Call For E-Cig Ban In Wales
Public Health Wales (PHW) has called for electronic cigarettes to be banned in public places, a move it claims would help prevent their efforts to encourage people to quit being undermined.
31 October 2007
Supermarkets 'Could Perform Better'
Supermarkets are "delivering a good deal for consumers", but further action needs to be taken to improve competition in certain areas and to improve relationships with suppliers. The findings come from a provisional report published by the Competition Commission.
Supermarkets 'Could Perform Better'
Supermarkets are "delivering a good deal for consumers", but further action needs to be taken to improve competition in certain areas and to improve relationships with suppliers. The findings come from a provisional report published by the Competition Commission.
12 October 2007
Primary School Kids Facing 'Excessive' Stress
Primary school children are facing increasing pressure to perform well at school and are becoming ever more stressed about modern life, according to a new report. The Primary Review, conducted by researchers at Cambridge University found that primary age pupils were under pressure to perform well in tests.
Primary School Kids Facing 'Excessive' Stress
Primary school children are facing increasing pressure to perform well at school and are becoming ever more stressed about modern life, according to a new report. The Primary Review, conducted by researchers at Cambridge University found that primary age pupils were under pressure to perform well in tests.
12 October 2015
£200m Polar Research Ship To Be Built
The preferred bidder to construct a £200m state-of-the-art polar research ship has been named. Cammell Laird in Birkenhead has been selected as the preferred bidder for the project which will help the UK remain at the forefront of climate and ocean research.
£200m Polar Research Ship To Be Built
The preferred bidder to construct a £200m state-of-the-art polar research ship has been named. Cammell Laird in Birkenhead has been selected as the preferred bidder for the project which will help the UK remain at the forefront of climate and ocean research.
07 December 2011
Dept of Business Launches £30K Community Buy Scheme
The Department of Business has launched a "community buying" scheme, tempting communities to concentrate their spending power with a £30K prize.
Dept of Business Launches £30K Community Buy Scheme
The Department of Business has launched a "community buying" scheme, tempting communities to concentrate their spending power with a £30K prize.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A fine end to the day with some evening sunshine. It remains mainly dry overnight with a touch of frost or fog patches possible in places. However, cloud is expected to increase towards dawn with the odd light shower. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
