full potential because they go to school hungry? You probably think that does not happen in Bermuda. Think again, it does.

In 1992 the Departments of Education and Health conducted a School Health Survey which found that 33 percent of Bermuda's secondary school students (approximately 1,000) did not regularly eat breakfast and 10 percent, or approximately 300 students, never ate breakfast.

During the week of the survey, less than half (44.5 percent) ate breakfast on all seven days. Eighteen percent ate breakfast on between four and six days, while 26 percent ate it one to three days.

A larger percentage of boys reported eating breakfast than girls and younger students were more likely to eat breakfast than older students.

So what does this mean for Bermuda's school teachers? On average, a teacher with 25 secondary school students is likely to find: Seven students who have not eaten breakfast Seven who may or may not have eaten breakfast 11 students (less than half) who have eaten breakfast In the worst case scenario, a teacher will find: 11 students who have not eaten breakfast Seven who may or may not have eaten breakfast Seven students (less than one third) who have eaten breakfast The disposition of these students may be such that it hinders the learning process of each individual student as well as interfering with the learning process of the whole class.

If a basic learning concept is being taught on a day a child skips breakfast, two things may happen. First he may have difficulty with that one concept and secondly, he may find it difficult to progress to the next step.

The numbers of students who stated they regularly ate breakfast varied from school to school.

The number of students who regularly ate breakfast at Government schools ranged from 52.5 percent to 73.5 percent with the average being 62.3 percent.

In private schools the range was from 69.5 percent to 84 percent, with an average of 78.6 percent.

In schools where more students eat breakfast, there is a tendency to have higher academic achievement.

Why is breakfast so important? Glucose, which is the end product of the food we eat, is the main source of energy for the human brain. After 10 to 14 hours without food the body's energy store is used up. A child who has not eaten breakfast cannot function to the optimum because there is not enough glucose to feed the brain. This will affect his emotional behaviour, his ability to do maths and read, as well as his physical work output.

Studies show that students who eat breakfast do better in school than those who do not eat breakfast. Children who do not eat breakfast are more likely to be hungry. A hungry child is apathetic, irritable and unable to take advantage of learning opportunities.

From a nutritional standpoint, the student who misses breakfast will miss out on a quarter to a third of his nutrient requirements for the day.

Parents, does your child/teenager eat breakfast each day? If not, why not? The most common reason given by students for not eating breakfast was not having enough time, 42.5 percent. This could be due to a variety of reasons: Staying up late watching TV Watching TV in the morning Having to get up early because they have to travel so far to get to school Or parents going to work early having to drop students off at school at an early hour Whatever the reason, you need to act now. It is your responsibility. Talk to your child about the importance of breakfast and discuss how he/she can fit breakfast into his/her day.

You and your family may need to plan your days more effectively. It may mean going to bed earlier or setting the table the night before so the bowl and cereal are ready to use when you get up.

Whatever it takes do it for the sake of your child.

Help your child reach his or her full potential. Make sure he or she eats breakfast every day and does not become another non-breakfast-eating statistic.

Call Nutrition Services on 236-0224 ext. 385 or 259 for a copy of the leaflet "Take Time for Breakfast'' sponsored by the Continental Society of Bermuda.

BETSY BAILLIE, RD Nutrition Services Department of Health