Divya Jain¹* and Kiran Grover²

¹Krishi Viyan Kendra (Ferozepur), Punjab Gricultural University, Ludhiana
²Department of Food and Nutrition, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

*Corresponding Author: Divya Jain, Krishi Viyan Kendra (Ferozepur), Punjab Gricultural University, Ludhiana.

Received: May 09, 2025; Published: May 28, 2025

Abstract

Breakfast is essential for adolescent growth and development, yet many adolescents frequently skip this critical meal. This cross-sectional study assessed the impact of breakfast consumption frequency on nutritional intake, physical fitness, and academic performance among 90 schoolgirls (aged 16-18) from Ludhiana, Punjab. Participants were grouped into Regular (RBC), Occasional (OBC), and Never (NBC) breakfast consumers (n = 30 each). Dietary intake was recorded using a 3-day 24-hour recall. Physical performance was measured through timed tasks (running, jumping, toe-touching) and cardiovascular responses, while academic performance was assessed using school scores and attendance. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Chi-square tests (p ≤ 0.05). Results showed RBCs had significantly higher energy and nutrient intakes, with breakfast contributing 20% of total energy. They also demonstrated better physical performance and lower heart rate elevations post-activity. Academically, RBCs scored higher and had fewer absences than OBCs and NBCs. These findings highlight that regular breakfast consumption positively influences both physical and academic outcomes. Promoting consistent breakfast intake through school-based nutrition programs could support improved health and learning in adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescent Nutrition; Breakfast Frequency; Physical Performance; Academic Achievement; Dietary Intake; School-Based Intervention

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Citation

Citation: Divya Jain and Kiran Grover. “Nutritional Insights into Adolescence: The Influence of Breakfast Habits on Health and Performance".Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 9.6 (2025): 84-90.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Divya Jain and Kiran Grover. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.