UUP MLA urges school breakfast scheme for students

Mr Swann pointed out that The World Health Organisation (WHO) have found, in a study of the eating habits of more than 162,000 pupils, that the proportion of 11-year-old boys eating breakfast across 35 countries was 72.9 per cent, while the figure was 69.1 per cent for girls.

“In Britain, only 65.8 to 66.1 per cent of boys and 60.1 to 60.2 per cent of girls eat breakfast. So significantly fewer school children here eat breakfast before school than in most developed countries, yet nutritionists tell us that breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” said Mr Swann.

“Though the WHO survey does not extend to Northern Ireland, I believe our children’s diet here would be fairly similar to that of Scotland with a similarly high level of junk food,” added Mr Swann.

“It is interesting that in Scotland, which has a high level of academic success in Britain, also has the highest rate of eating breakfast. There, 65.3 per cent of girls ate breakfast, as did 74.5 per cent of boys - well above the national average. The Netherlands had the highest rate, but Britain fell behind Lithuania, Russia and Latvia, which have a far lower per capita income,” added Mr Swann.

“Research has found that eating breakfast has an effect on children’s energy levels and ability to study. The WHO findings come amid concern over a deterioration in the quality of diet and a rise in obesity, often said to be caused by snacking on unsuitable food,” said the MLA.

“The United States, which has an even higher rate of childhood obesity than the United Kingdom, was among the bottom two to five countries for eating breakfast at each age stage.

“I believe that parents and schools should combine forces to ensure that children receive a hearty breakfast before they begin the day’s work,” said Mr Swann.