Effects of a Breakfast and Snack on Cognitive Function in Preadolescents

This study is designed to test how breakfast affects brain function, memory and learning in healthy children.

Hypotheses: Based on the results of our initial study and the relevant literature, it is hypothesized that arousal, attention, and performance will be:

1. Greater in those who eat breakfast relative to those who do not;
2. Greater in lean than in overweight children receiving the higher protein breakfast;
3. Greater in fasting lean than fasting overweight children; and
4. Improved following a morning snack in all study groups.
5. Poorer in children with higher stress-related measures (e.g., higher cortisol levels).
6. Heart rate will be lower in fasting relative to fed participants, and across groups will be higher in overweight children.

Inclusion Criteria:

• healthy
• attending 4th or 5th grade
• lean BMI or overweight BMI
• right hand dominance
• no food allergies
• eat breakfast at least 4 mornings/week
• no medications for chronic illness/disorder that may affect outcome (as determined by the PI)

Exclusion Criteria:

• food allergies
• medications that could affect the outcome
• left hand dominance