One in five Hong Kong youngsters skip breakfast, leaving them more prone to depression or exacerbating existing depression and making them less likely to do their homework properly, a study has found.
The survey of 7,192 youngsters aged between 10 and 19 showed 23 per cent who suffered from symptoms of depression - such as pessimism and lack of concentration - skipped breakfast. By contrast, only 13 per cent of youngsters with good mental health skipped breakfast.
The survey was conducted by the Chinese University between September and November.
Professor Albert Lee, who carried out the survey, said it was worrying that 20 per cent of students missed breakfast.
That rate compared with about 12 per cent of youngsters in overseas countries such as the United States.
Professor Lee said breakfast in Hong Kong was mostly of "bad quality", including high-fat, high-calorie, high-sodium and low- fiber meals, such as instant noodles.
"Even many of those who eat breakfast every day choose unhealthy instant food or eat out to save time," Professor Lee said. "But the big breakfast served in restaurants usually does not meet our health principles.
"Eating breakfast is important, but choosing a healthy meal is equally important to maintain good health."
The survey found students who ate breakfast felt happier about their lives. They were also more confident academically and feel better about their health, Professor Lee said.
The survey also showed that 74 per cent of those who eat breakfast think their school performance is good, compared with 60 per cent of those who do not eat breakfast.
Almost 70 per cent who eat breakfast feel they are healthy, compared with only 59 per cent of those who do not.
But Professor Lee said it was a chicken or egg situation: students who are depressed may not have an appetite, which in turn could damage their health and affect their mood.
Dietician Grace Tso Chui-ying said a balanced breakfast, including carbohydrate, protein and vitamins, was important to maintain a positive mood and well-functioning brain.
To raise public awareness of the importance of a well-balanced breakfast, the university will try to break a Guinness world record by organizing 100,000 students from 140 primary and secondary schools to eat breakfast at school at the same time this Friday. The menu will include soya milk, fruit, juice and high-fiber bread.
The last record involved 20,000 people in Taiwan last year.
patsy.moy@scmp.com
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