Current dietary behaviors and practices observed
in children and adolescents may have detrimental
consequences on their health. The adverse health
consequences that may result from excessive intake of
soda and sweetened beverages; fast-food consumption;
inadequate intakes of fresh fruits, vegetables, fiberrich
foods, and dairy and other calcium-rich foods; reduced
levels of physical activity; and increasing obesity
rates indicate a need to revisit the diet and lifestyle
characteristics of this age group (1,2). The consumption
of breakfast is often recommended (3-7). In this age of
evidence-based practice, a logical question is whether
there is evidence to support the health benefits of this
recommendation. Past reviews of the health or cognitive
benefits of breakfast consumption in adults or children
were published before 1999 (5,8-17) and do not
include the results of more recent studies. Several
studies have identified a possible role for breakfast
consumption in maintaining normal weight status in
children and adolescents, which may have important
public health implications.