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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
Alternative Breakfast Service Models Are Associated With Greater Student School Breakfast Participation: Evidence
Monica D Zuercher1, Dania Orta-Aleman1, Cailin D French1
1Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oakland, California, USA.
Background:
Eating school breakfast has benefits for students, yet participation remains lower than that of school lunch. This study examined associations between school breakfast service models, self-reported participation, and perceived participation barriers, and whether these associations differed by school level (middle vs. high) and universal school meals policy (with vs. without).
Methods:
One thousand ninety-seven middle and high school students were surveyed. Data were analyzed using multilevel logistic regression.
Results:
Most students (67%) reported access only to traditional before-school breakfast. Higher odds of participation and lower odds of time-related barriers were found for breakfast in the classroom (OR 3.88; 95% CI 2.49, 6.03) and "second chance" breakfast (OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.43, 3.00) compared to traditional before-school breakfast only. Grab-and-go options were associated with modestly higher odds of participation (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.01, 1.67) and fewer barriers among high school students.
Implications For School Health Policy, Practice, And Equity:
Breakfast after the bell approaches is associated with higher participation and fewer barriers. These strategies can help ensure more students have reliable access to school breakfast.
Conclusions:
Alternative school breakfast service models, particularly breakfast in the classroom and "second chance" breakfast, may increase participation and support student nutrition, health, and academic performance.
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