Benefits of Breakfast Clubs; Leeds Literary Review

In 1998, Kellogg set up its first Breakfast Programme in the UK. Since then, we have expanded to more Breakfast Programmes around Europe to support the most disadvantaged areas where children may not get a breakfast at home.

A recent literature review carried out by The University of Leeds has shown that breakfast clubs can have a knock-on effect that is much greater than previously understood.

Within this review, a number of educational outcomes were identified including improved cognitive function, in-class behaviour and academic performance. Positive nutritional outcomes also showed improved nutrient intakes, particularly for fibre and some micronutrients. Children are happier going to school and behaving better with lower dropout levels. Schools with a breakfast programme in place are performing approximately 2 months ahead of schools that don’t have the funding for such a programme.

“It is essential to have breakfast and it shows a lot when a person does not eat it as they don’t have enough energy to concentrate and study. The Breakfast Club really helped me get to where I am today” – Bianca, a previous recipient of our breakfast club donations in Spain.

The Kellogg’s Breakfast Club is a long-term partnership, providing children with nutrients they could be lacking, fresh fruit and veg that they mightn’t get at home and provides higher levels of dietary fibre, Vitamins D & C, Calcium and Iodine.

Breakfast clubs are invaluable to children in disadvantaged areas. They act as an accessible form of childcare for parents who are working early in the morning. The mornings are calmer with less conflict about going to school as their social circles are broadened. They’re also given more opportunities for fun interactions. Kellogg’s breakfast programmes typically start 30 minutes to an hour before class time begins and last year, we donated over €1,000,000 to breakfast clubs all over Europe.

Based on Adolphus, K., et al. (2020). “The effects of school breakfast programmes on social, nutritional, and educational outcomes: A review of the evidence”, report commissioned by Kellogg’s.