Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Effect of Breakfast Consumption on Verbal Fluency and Verbal Working Memory Performance in Seven-Year-Old Children Publisher



Bakhtiyari J1 ; Shadnoush M2 ; Dadgar H3 ; Salmani M1 ; Argha F4 ; Khani M4 ; Rahmati A5
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Speech Therapy Department, Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition & Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Speech Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health Studies Published:2020


Abstract

Background: Studies have indicated that failure to eat breakfast did not affect children’s performance in general cognitive tests; however, skipping breakfast might have effects on the specific aspects of cognition such as memory. Hypothetically, language as a higher cognitive function may be influenced by breakfast consumption routines. Objectives: This study aimed to compare students’ verbal fluency and working memory according to their breakfast routines. Methods: We selected 60 seven-year-old children from three primary schools in the central regions of Tehran in 2017. Their parents were invited to a structured interview to fill out questionnaires consisting of information related to the child, parent, and breakfast routines. Based on the family’s breakfast habits, two groups were identified: Group 1 with a full, regular breakfast routine and Group 2 with no breakfast or incomplete breakfast routine. An experienced speech therapist administered the verbal fluency task (phonemic and semantic fluency) and verbal working memory task (forward and backward digit numbers) for each student. Results: The mean scores of students with a full breakfast routine on verbal fluency tasks were at least three units more than those of students without breakfast. These differences were all significant (P = 0.001). In working memory tasks, students with a full breakfast routine had seven digits and one digit in their responses more than students without breakfast in forward and backward digit tasks, in sequence. These differences were significant (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The findings of the present study provide information on the positive effects of a regular breakfast routine on the specific cognitive functions related to language processing. © 2020, Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health Studies.
Related Docs
1. Midmorning Snack Programs Have a Beneficial Effect on Cognitive Performance of Students From High Socioeconomic Background, Nutrition Today (2016)
2. Breakfast Habits, Nutritional Status and Their Relationship With Academic Performance in Elementary School Students of Tehran, Iran, Medicine and Pharmacy Reports (2019)
3. Meal Frequency in Iranian Children and Adolescents at National and Sub-National Levels: The Caspian-Iv Study, Iranian Journal of Public Health (2015)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Amir Kasaeian (1)
Ramin Heshmat (1)