Study: Some American children replace meals with snacks

By Staff Writer

A recent study reveals that many children in the U.S. are missing meals and eating more snacks.

The American Dietetic Association (ADA) Foundation poll found that almost half of children ages eight to 17 sometimes miss breakfast. Approximately 42 percent of white and Hispanic children occasionally skip the morning meal, compared to 59 percent of African-American kids. Roughly 12 percent of white and Hispanic children rarely or never eat breakfast, compared to 18 percent of black kids.

The ADA states that previous studies have discovered that missing breakfast is associated with increased school absenteeism, tardiness, poor attention skills and lower test scores.

The survey also reveals that dinner is not eaten all the time by 22 percent of white, 34 percent of black and 38 percent of Hispanic children. Snacking immediately after school was reported by more than half of every demographic.

The national education director for the ADA Foundation suggests that parents should offer their children nutrient-rich snacks to supplement any missed meals.

According to LiveStrong.com, a pediatric behavioral nutritionist from a Houston-based college said that proper nutrients are especially important for young brains that are still growing and developing.