Evaluation of a breakfast in the classroom program on nutritional, health, behavioral, and academic outcomes

INTRODUCTION: Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) programs have been highlighted as one way to increase children's access to a healthy breakfast. Acute effects of breakfast consumption on children's cognitive performance are well established. Research on the longer-term impact of BIC on children's nutritional, health, behavioral and academic outcomes is needed. METHODS: Evaluation of the phased implementation of a BIC program is underway in one of the largest school districts in the US. School-wide data on breakfast participation rates, nutrient content of breakfast served, school nurse visits, attendance, discipline, and academic performance will be collected at the beginning and end of the 2012-2013 school year. The sample will include 100 elementary schools implementing BIC during the 2012-2013 school year (intervention group), and 100 elementary schools that will implement BIC in a later year (comparison group). Focus groups with teachers (n=60), parents (n=120), and students (n=120), and interviews with principals (n=8) and food service personnel (n=8) are also being conducted to gather perspectives about BIC. RESULTS: To evaluate BIC's impact on the outcomes listed above, differences between the intervention and comparison groups will be examined at the end of the school year, adjusting for baseline status and school demographics. Themes emerging from focus groups and interviews will also be presented. CONCLUSION: Results will illustrate trends and perspectives following the first year of BIC implementation in one of the largest school districts in the US, and could better define relationships between breakfast consumption and nutritional, health, behavioral and academic outcomes in school-age children.