Nutrition Policy Institute researchers published a recent study showing that alternative breakfast models—such as breakfast served in the classroom and “second chance” breakfast served after the first school period—are associated with greater school breakfast participation among middle and high school students compared to more traditional before-school breakfast. These findings are important as eating school breakfast is associated with better diet quality, cognitive function, and academic performance, yet participation in school breakfast remains lower than school lunch.
Researchers surveyed 1,097 middle and high school students across eight U.S. states to examine school breakfast service models, participation, and perceived barriers during the 2022-23 school year. Most students (67%) reported that their school only offered traditional before-school breakfast, while nearly a third (31%) reported arriving too late to eat it. Students at schools offering breakfast in the classroom had more than three times higher odds of eating school breakfast at least 3 days per week, while those at schools offering“second chance” breakfast had two times the odds. However, the implementation of these breakfast models was low, with less than 15% of students reporting availability at their schools.
“Grab and go” breakfast options were somewhat common, with just over 40% of the students reporting that their school offers these options and these options were also associated with modestly higher odds of participation, particularly among high school students. Students also reported fewer barriers related to arriving at school early with alternative breakfast models.
The study findings suggest that expanding alternative breakfast service models, particularly breakfast in the classroom and “second chance” breakfast are associated with higher participation and fewer participation barriers, whereas the traditional breakfast creates barriers that limit student participation.
Findings were published in the Journal of School Health. The study was conducted by Monica Zuercher, Dania Orta-Aleman, Cailin French, Chrisina Hecht, Kenneth Hecht, Lorrene Ritchie, and Wendi Gosliner with the Nutrition Policy Institute, Juliana Cohen with Merrimack College, Punam Ohri-Vachaspati with Arizona State University, and Anisha Patel with Stanford Pediatrics. This research was funded by California General Fund Senate Bill (SB) 170 (2021), SB 154 (2022), and SB 101 (2023).