School Breakfast Programs

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School Breakfast Programs

There are many benefits and many possible drawbacks for the participation in a federal school breakfast program. The USDA sponsors the federal school breakfast program. The relationship between hunger and the ability to learn are very closely related. Of the many benefits to a school breakfast program, one includes the assurance that the children are eating a balanced meal during the school day. In turn researchers believe that eating a balanced healthy breakfast leads children in enhancing attention and alertness, energy and motivation, concentration and self-discipline (Ragno, 1994).

Research has also shown possible drawbacks the breakfast program may lead to. These possible drawbacks include the assumption that children are not eating the breakfast provided by the school and in turn money would be wasted. Another concern for the breakfast program is the possibility that small amounts of children actually participate in the program, therefore the program would not be worth time, food, and energy spent in providing the breakfast.

The United States Department of Agriculture, (USDA), prioritizes school breakfast (Coles, 2000). The School Breakfast Program was just introduced in 1966. When introduced, the program was a temporary measure through the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. The basis for the implementation of this program was to accommodate children in areas where they had long bus rides to school and in areas where many mothers were in the work force.

Much of the research examining the federally sponsored USDA breakfast program shows that the benefits of participation greatly outweigh the drawbacks. Some of the benefits include assurance for students and others concerned, an increased awareness in the students during the school day, and significant influences in the student’s behaviors. The assumption that the students are wasting money due to lack of participation, may pose as a drawback, although research shows differently. This author wishes to recommend that district X participates in a USDA sponsored Federal School Breakfast Program.

Assurance for students and others concerned regarding the breakfast program mostly relies around the time consuming aspect of the program. An article in American Teacher stated that in many schools teachers expressed concerns about the logistics of the program, inc...

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...ly. Each student is a unique individual and things influence him or her differently.

In conclusion the benefits and drawbacks to a federally sponsored USDA School Breakfast Program are wide and vary greatly in their differences. If School District X feels that the benefits will outweigh the drawbacks, then they should participate in the program. However, if they feel that the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, they should not participate. The sole reason for participation in the program should be based on the individual needs of the district and those of the children concerned.

Bibliography:

Worobey, John.; Worobey, Harriet S. (1999).The impact of a two-year school

breakfast program for preschool-aged children on their nutrient intake and

pre-academic performance. Child Study Journal v. 20 (2) ,113-31

Katz, Fran. (1998) New Sophistication Marks School Lunch and Breakfast

School feeding menus are changing to meet children's preferences for

familiar foods in a multicultural society. Food technology. V.52(9),60

Boujie, Diane; Smith, Gail; Jankie, Gene. (1999). Homeroom Answers Breakfast Call. Schools in the Middle. v. 8(6) 14 - 16

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