Maryland Middle and High School Students’
Perspectives on Breakfast and School
Breakfast
Findings from a statewide survey of 413 public school
students in grades 6-12
For Share Our Strength
February 2011
Survey Methodology
•
In collaboration with Share Our Strength and its Maryland partners, Lake Research Partners designed and
administered this statewide survey. The survey reached a total of 413 students currently enrolled in
grades 6-12 in a public middle or high school in Maryland. The survey was conducted December 9th, 2010
through January 9th, 2011, using a mixed-mode methodology, which included:
–
–
2
202 interviews conducted by telephone, using professional, trained phone interviewers. The telephone numbers
were drawn from a sample of households likely to have children based on consumer indicators.
211 of the interviews conducted online by Harris Interactive, which provided the sample and administered the online
survey. The sample was drawn from the Harris panel of youth.
•
Because the research participants were minors, parental permission was obtained before interviewing the
students in the survey.
•
The data have been weighted by gender, age, race/ethnicity, and region of the state to reflect the
attributes of this specific population.
•
In interpreting survey results, all sample surveys are subject to possible sampling error; that is, the results
of a survey may differ from those which would be obtained if the entire population were interviewed. The
size of the sampling error depends on both the total number of respondents in the survey and the
percentage distribution of responses to a particular question. The margin of error for the survey is +/- 4.9
percentage points; this is higher among subgroups (such as grade, race or region).
Appendix: Regional Breakdowns (by County)
• Western/Middle Maryland: Respondents who live in Allegany, Anne Arundel,
Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard or Washington counties.
• Metropolitan Baltimore: Respondents who live in Baltimore county or Baltimore
City.
• Eastern Shore/Southern Maryland: Respondents who live in Calvert, Caroline,
Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot,
Wicomico, or Worcester counties.
• Metropolitan DC (only the part in Maryland): Respondents who live in
Montgomery or Prince George’s counties.
• Baltimore/DC Metro area: Respondents who live in Baltimore county, Baltimore
City, Montgomery, or Prince George’s counties.
• Non-Baltimore/DC Metro area: Respondents who live in Calvert, Caroline, Cecil,
Charles, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Wicomico,
Worcester, Allegany, Anne Arundel, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard or
Washington counties.
3
Study Objectives
• Measure Maryland public middle school and high school students’
attitudes about breakfast and their reported behaviors in terms of how
and where they usually eat breakfast during the school year.
• Explore reasons why students make the breakfast choices they make and
what influences their choices, including measuring student awareness of
the importance of breakfast.
• Measure student receptivity toward a range of different school breakfast
approaches, or practices, to offer and serve breakfast.
4
Key Findings
5
•
Middle and high school students in Maryland understand the importance of breakfast and its
connection to their performance in school.
•
Majorities of students across demographic groups say they eat breakfast before coming to school.
•
Time tends to be the biggest barrier for not eating breakfast at school. Time is defined as not having
enough before class, but also the desire to spend the time they have socializing with friends or to spend
their time sleeping or getting ready for school. Students also note their rides to school, be it busses or
other modes of transportation, not getting them to school in time.
•
While a plurality of students do not arrive at school hungry, a strong majority report that they are
hungry before they reach their scheduled lunch period.
•
Students express a desire to eat breakfast and three-quarters say they would eat breakfast if they had
the time.
•
Making breakfast easier to get would impact students. Nearly two-thirds of students say they would be
more likely to eat breakfast at school if it were easier to get, with majorities of students across
demographic groups saying they would be more likely to eat breakfast if it was easier. Additionally,
making breakfast easier to get is particularly important for those students who do not currently eat
breakfast and those who eat school breakfast.
•
This research suggests that continuing to boost student awareness and education about the importance
of breakfast for students should still be an on-going task for advocates and policymakers. Yet, another
important goal should be to make school breakfast more convenient for students and to strive to meet
students where they are in terms of priorities (socializing, quick pick-up, eating in the classroom) to help
students fit breakfast into their routines.
•
Students respond positively to a range of different approaches to how breakfast could be served in their
schools. They respond most positively to having breakfast served in their first period class at the
beginning of the class period and making breakfast part of the school day.
Strategic Summary: Student Awareness of Breakfast’s
Importance
•
Public middle and high school students in Maryland are aware of the importance of
breakfast and the difference it can make in how they perform at school.
–
Three-quarters of students say eating breakfast helps them concentrate and learn during
the school day (74 percent saying 6-10 on a scale where 10 means it helps them
concentrate a lot and zero does not help at all). Nearly six in ten (59 percent) say eating
breakfast helps them considerably (59 percent saying 8-10). Only 11 percent say breakfast
does not help with their concentration in school (saying 0-4). At least two-thirds of students
across demographic groups see a connection, except for those who do not usually eat
breakfast at all (51%).
• Demonstrating lower levels of awareness than other students on this measure are female
students, especially middle school girls (59 percent saying 8-10), African-American girls* (54
percent), and students living in the Metro Baltimore region (50 percent).
–
Three-quarters of students also believe there is a connection between eating a healthy
breakfast and how successful they are in class (76 percent saying 6-10 where 10 means
they see a very strong connection and zero no connection at all). Nearly six in ten see a
strong connection between breakfast and their success in class (59 percent saying 8-10).
Only eight percent say there is little to no connection (saying 0-4).
• Nearly seven out of ten students across demographic groups see a connection, except for
those who do not usually eat breakfast (58 percent).
• Female high school students (55 percent saying 8-10), African-American students (55
percent), and students living in the Metro Baltimore region (51 percent) are also less likely to
see a strong connection between their eating breakfast and being successful in class.
6
*Note small sample size
Strategic Summary: Reported Breakfast Habits
• The large majority of students report that they usually eat breakfast during the
school year. Nearly seven in ten say they eat breakfast at home, before coming
to school (69 percent). One in ten (11 percent) say they eat breakfast at school.
One in six (17 percent) say they usually do not eat breakfast at all.
– Students most likely to report that they eat breakfast at home before they come to
school are white students (78 percent), especially white girls (81 percent), students who
get to school by walking, biking or driving themselves* (75 percent), and students living
in the Western/Middle region (74 percent) and living in the Metro DC region of
Maryland (74 percent).
– Middle school students (15 percent) and African-American students (18 percent) are the
most likely to report regularly eating school breakfast.
– Most likely to usually skip eating breakfast are high schoolers (20 percent), especially
students 17-18 years old (21 percent), high school girls (22 percent), African-American
girls*(24 percent), students who get to school by walking, biking or driving themselves
or with friends* (21 percent), and students living in the Metro Baltimore region (25
percent).
7
*Note small sample size
Strategic Summary: Barriers to Eating School
Breakfast
•
Among the 69 percent of students who usually eat breakfast at home before coming to school, the most
common reasons given for why they do not eat breakfast at school are time and cost, especially time for
socializing. Students most commonly say they do not eat breakfast at school because:
–
–
–
–
–
–
8
There is not enough time before class (25 percent), this is especially strong among middle school boys* (30
percent),
They would rather spend time with friends before school starts (23 percent), this is especially true among
boys (29 percent),
It’s too expensive (22 percent), which is especially likely to be cited by students aged 17-18* (35 percent)
and high school girls (30 percent),
It’s not convenient (18 percent),
They would rather spend time getting ready for school or sleeping (17 percent), and
Their ride or school bus not getting them to school in time (15 percent), which is a particularly strong reason
among African-American students* (19 percent).
•
In comparison to these other factors, students are less likely to cite none of their friends eating
breakfast at school (10 percent), and not being hungry when breakfast is offered (11 percent). Very few
say they do not eat breakfast at school because it is embarrassing (4 percent) or that they were unaware
you could get breakfast at school (4 percent).
•
Not having enough time before class, or preferring to spend their time socializing, sleeping in or getting ready for school are
top barriers among middle and high school students, but the cost of breakfast is also among the top barriers for high school
students (26 percent of high school students; 16 percent of middle school students).
*Note small sample size
Strategic Summary: Barriers to Eating School
Breakfast
•
Among the 17 percent of students who say they usually do not eat breakfast at all, the top
reasons given for not eating are lack of time and not being hungry that early in the
morning:
–
–
–
9
They just don’t have time in the morning, they are too rushed (48 percent),
They are not hungry that early in the morning (47 percent), and
They prefer to spend that time sleeping or getting ready (32 percent).
•
Another 11 percent say they don’t like breakfast food, or that they eat lunch early enough at
school so they don’t need to eat breakfast (7 percent).
•
Very few students are likely to say they do not eat breakfast at all because they are trying to
watch their weight (4 percent); there is not enough food at home (3 percent) or that there is
no one at home to make them breakfast (1 percent).
Strategic Summary: Hunger Before Lunch
•
•
10
A plurality of students do not arrive at school hungry, but a strong majority report that
they are hungry before they reach their scheduled lunch period.
–
A majority of all demographic groups report feeling hungry all or most of the time before lunch,
except for white girls (49 percent).
–
Around one quarter (24 percent) of students say they start off their school day by feeling hungry
all (8 percent) or most of the time (16 percent). However, the plurality of students— 48 percent say they arrive at school feeling hungry not very often (29 percent) or never (19 percent).
Students most likely to report starting off the school day being hungry are 17-18 year-olds, high
school boys, African-American students, and students in both the Baltimore Metro and DC Metro
regions. Students who eat school breakfast* and those who abstain from breakfast altogether*
are also among those most likely to say they arrive at school hungry.
–
When students are asked, however, if they feel hungry before their lunch period, a majority (57
percent) report this happening either all of the time (26 percent) or most of the time (31
percent). Only 14 percent say this happens infrequently for them. This happens with more
frequency among high school students (29 percent all the time) than middle school students (20
percent). Frequency is also particularly high among middle school boys, African Americans and
students who eat school breakfast.*
This suggests that while students may be eating something for breakfast, they may not
be eating enough or the right types of food to keep them from being hungry in the
morning before lunchtime.
*Note small sample size
Strategic Summary: Time and Convenience
•
Time, and lack of time, plays a large role in students not eating school breakfast, or not
eating breakfast at all. Three-quarters of students say that they would want to eat
breakfast if they had more time (75 percent say this). Only 23 percent say they would still
choose not to eat breakfast if they had more time.
–
–
–
11
Nearly seven out of ten students across demographic groups say they would eat breakfast if they
had time.
These views are consistent across high school (76 percent more likely to eat breakfast with more
time) and middle school students (74 percent). Additionally, students who drive or walk/bike
themselves to school (82 percent), those living in the DC Metro region (80 percent) and middle
schoolers in the Baltimore/DC Metro regions are especially likely to say they could benefit from
more time to eat breakfast (81 percent).
Students who usually eat breakfast at home (78 percent) and those who eat it at school* (88
percent) also say more time would boost their likelihood of eating breakfast. Time is also a factor
among students who skip breakfast, but for only 59 percent of these students. The other 41
percent say they would be no more likely to eat, even with more time.
*Note small sample size
Strategic Summary: Time and Convenience
• Convenience is also a big factor for students. When students rate how convenient
or easy it is for them to get and have time to eat breakfast at school, students’
ratings are reasonably high. Still, a majority say they would be more likely to eat
school breakfast if it were easier to get.
12
–
Among students who feel able to rate the convenience of school breakfast, nearly half (49 percent)
give a grade of A or B in terms of how easy it is for them to get their school breakfast food and to have
time to eat it. Three in ten rate it a C (31 percent). Only two in ten give it a grade of D or F (20
percent).
–
Students who actually eat school breakfast* give it high convenience ratings, with two-thirds rating it
an A or B in convenience (66 percent). In contrast, students who eat breakfast at home give lower
convenience scores (44 percent saying A or B). This suggests a perception gap, in which students who
do not eat school breakfast are unaware of how convenient it could be for them. Female high school
students* are also more likely to give lower convenience scores for breakfast (25 percent saying D or
F).
–
Positive ratings for school breakfast convenience aside, over six in ten students (63 percent) say they
would be more likely to eat breakfast at school if breakfast was easier to get (36 percent much more
likely; 26 percent somewhat more likely). This is unimportant for around four in ten students (37
percent saying making it easier would make no difference for them). Making breakfast easier to eat is
particularly important for students who do not eat breakfast at all (41 percent would be much more
likely if easier) and those who eat school breakfast* (60 percent), as well as middle school girls
(41percent), African-American students (48 percent), especially African-American girls* (53 percent),
and students who ride the bus to school (42 percent).
*Note small sample size
Strategic Summary: Potential Approaches to School
Breakfast
•
This survey gives solid and encouraging guidance on what types of new approaches to serving school breakfast can help
make breakfast more convenient and better fit into students’ routines and priorities. Specifically, middle and high school
students respond positively to six different approaches to how breakfast could be served in their schools. Students are
most enthusiastic about:
–
–
–
–
–
–
•
•
•
13
Having breakfast served to them in their first period classrooms at the beginning of the class period (71 percent say this would
make them more likely to eat breakfast; 48 percent much more likely);
The idea of making breakfast part of the school day, like lunch (73 percent more likely to eat breakfast; 46 percent much more
likely);
Their school providing more breakfast items they like to eat (74 percent more likely; 44 percent much more likely);
Having a second chance to access the grab-and-go carts between first and second period (69 percent more likely to eat
breakfast; 44 percent much more likely);
Having breakfast items on a cart that allows them to grab items and take them to eat in their first period classrooms (73 percent
more likely to eat breakfast; 43 percent much more likely); and
Over six in ten students also say they would be more likely to eat breakfast if they could take the breakfast food from the
cafeteria and eat it in their first period classrooms, but this is slightly less compelling for students than the other options (64
percent more likely to eat breakfast; 40 percent much more likely).
All of the approaches offered are highly appealing to students who skip breakfast* and to students who already eat school
breakfast*. Students who eat breakfast at home, however, are less enthusiastic, but still majorities among this group say all
of these approaches would make them more likely to eat breakfast at school.
Additionally, middle school students express more enthusiasm than high school students for all of the approaches offered.
High school girls, compared to their male counterparts, prove to be the least enthusiastic about any of the approaches
offered. Even still, majorities of high school girls say these approaches would make them more likely to eat school
breakfast, even if their enthusiasm is lower than others.
African-American students are also especially enthusiastic about all of the approaches presented, with majorities saying
they would make them much more likely to eat school breakfast.
*Note small sample size
Strategic Summary: Potential Approaches to School
Breakfast
•
When students who say the grab and go carts would make them more likely to eat
breakfast are asked what is most appealing about the carts, they cite time,
convenience, and being able to fit eating breakfast into their social routines as the
top reasons. Reduced stigma is less of a factor for students. In terms of why grab
and go carts are compelling, students say the following:
–
–
–
–
•
14
I could do it as part of my routine to class and my locker (48 percent)
I could socialize with my friends while I do it (39 percent)
It would only take me a few minutes (38 percent)
Other students would be doing it with me, so I would not be embarrassed (14 percent).
The benefit of quickness of the grab and go carts is particularly important for high school
students, with 43 percent saying the carts are appealing because it would only take them a few
minutes to do (compared to 29 percent of middle school students).
Key Student Measures by Gender & Grade
Middle
Schl Boys
Middle
Schl Girls
High
Schl Boys
High
Schl Girls
72%
14%
11%
71%
8%
17%
67%
9%
22%
19%
53%
29%
58%
25%
53%
74%
78%
Breakfast Habits (% saying they usually do this)
Eat breakfast at home before school
Eat school breakfast
Usually abstain from breakfast
66%
15%
17%
Feeling Hungry……(% saying happens all or most of the time)
-- At start of the school day
-- Before their lunch period
20%
67%
If you had more time, would you be more likely to eat breakfast (% saying yes)
Yes
73%
74%
If school breakfast were easier to get, would be more likely to eat breakfast (% saying much more likely)
Yes
29%
41%
37%
37%
Potential Approaches to School Breakfast (% saying would make much more likely to eat breakfast; more likely)
--Have bfast served in first period
classroom, at beginning of class
--Make bfast part of school day, like lunch
--Provide more things I like to eat
--Having bfast items on cart to grab and
eat in 1st period classroom
--Having second chance to access grab &
go carts between 1st & 2nd period
15
53% (69%)
51% (74%)
48% (71%)
42% (72%)
51% (68%)
54% (75%)
47% (70%)
39% (70%)
46% (76%)
42% (73%)
48% (74%)
47% (70%)
39% (72%)
42% (74%)
44% (77%)
40% (76%)
46% (66%)
45% (71%)
44% (66%)
41% (74%)
Key Student Measures by Race
White Students
African-American Students
78%
7%
14%
56%
18%
19%
Breakfast Habits (% saying they usually do this)
Eat breakfast at home before school
Eat school breakfast
Usually abstain from breakfast
Feeling Hungry……(% saying happens all or most of the time)
-- At start of the school day
-- Before their lunch period
16%
57%
35%
57%
If you had more time, would you be more likely to eat breakfast (% saying yes)
Yes
74%
74%
If school breakfast were easier to get, would be more likely to eat breakfast (% saying much more likely)
Yes
30%
48%
Potential Approaches to School Breakfast (% saying more would make more likely to eat breakfast; % much more likely )
--Have bfast served in first period
classroom, at beginning of class
--Make bfast part of school day, like lunch
--Provide more things I like to eat
--Having bfast items on cart to grab and
eat in 1st period classroom
--Having second chance to access grab &
go carts between 1st & 2nd period
16
43% (67%)
55% (78%)
43% (70%)
36% (70%)
37% (70%)
51% (75%)
61% (79%)
55% (78%)
36% (63%)
60% (78%)
Key Student Measures by Mode of Transportation to School
Bus riders
Ride from
Parents/Family
Self-Transport*
68%
10%
15%
75%
4%
21%
20%
56%
28%
57%
Breakfast Habits (% saying they usually do this)
Eat breakfast at home before school
Eat school breakfast
Usually abstain from breakfast
69%
14%
16%
Feeling Hungry……(% saying happens all or most of the time)
-- At start of the school day
-- Before their lunch period
24%
59%
If you had more time, would you be more likely to eat breakfast (% saying yes)
Yes
74%
75%
82%
If school breakfast were easier to get, would be more likely to eat breakfast (% saying much more likely)
Yes
42%
32%
25%
Potential Approaches to School Breakfast (% saying more would make more likely to eat breakfast; % much more likely )
--Have bfast served in first period
classroom, at beginning of class
--Make bfast part of school day, like lunch
--Provide more things I like to eat
--Having bfast items on cart to grab and
eat in 1st period classroom
--Having second chance to access grab &
go carts between 1st & 2nd period
17
50% (72%)
46% (74%)
42% (64%)
46% (73%)
46% (76%)
43% (71%)
51% (74%)
48% (77%)
47% (79%)
43% (70%)
32% (62%)
33% (67%)
42% (65%)
49% (72%)
36% (73%)
*Self-transport includes students who: walk or ride a bike to school or drive themselves or with friends. Note small
sample size
Key Student Measures by Maryland Regions
*See county/region breakdowns in
Appendix
Western/
Middle*
Baltimore
Metro*
Eastern
Shore/
Southern*^
DC Metro*
59%
13%
25%
63%
14%
14%
74%
10%
14%
27%
56%
20%
56%
29%
60%
Breakfast Habits (% saying they usually do this)
Eat breakfast at home before school
Eat school breakfast
Usually abstain from breakfast
74%
8%
18%
Feeling Hungry……(% saying happens all or most of the time)
-- At start of the school day
-- Before their lunch period
18%
56%
If you had more time, would you be more likely to eat breakfast (% saying yes)
Yes
74%
75%
68%
80%
If school breakfast were easier to get, would be more likely to eat breakfast (% saying much more likely)
Yes
32%
39%
37%
38%
Potential Approaches to School Breakfast (% saying more would make more likely to eat breakfast; % much more likely )
--Have bfast served in first period
classroom, at beginning of class
--Make bfast part of school day, like lunch
--Provide more things I like to eat
--Having bfast items on cart to grab and
eat in 1st period classroom
--Having second chance to access grab &
go carts between 1st & 2nd period
18
^Note small sample size
47% (71%)
47% (73%)
52% (72%)
47% (70%)
49% (72%)
40% (71%)
41% (68%)
44% (66%)
48% (76%)
40% (73%)
49% (76%)
56% (78%)
42% (75%)
43% (77%)
40% (72%)
47% (78%)
41% (67%)
45% (68%)
45% (71%)
45% (72%)
Student Awareness of the Importance of Breakfast
Public middle and high school students in Maryland demonstrate awareness of
the importance of breakfast and the difference it can make in how they perform
at school.
Three-quarters of students say that eating breakfast helps them concentrate and
learn during the school day. Nearly six in ten say breakfast does a lot to help them
concentrate and learn.
Based on your own experiences, tell me on a scale that goes from 0 to 10 where 0 means it does not help you at all and 10 means it helps you a lot how
much does eating breakfast help you concentrate and learn during the school day. You can use any number between zero and ten.
How Much Eating Breakfast Helps You to Concentrate and Learn During
School Day
74%
Total (Mean 7.5)
Middle School (Mean
7.6)
High School (Mean
7.5)
"0-4"
20
11% 6%
16%
59%
71%
11% 5% 12%
58%
77%
10% 6%
19%
"5: Neutral"
58%
'"6-7"
At least two-thirds of students across all demographic groups see a connection, except this is
slightly lower among students who usually skip breakfast altogether (51 percent say 6-10).
"8-10"
Female students are slightly less likely than male students to say eating breakfast helps them
concentrate and learn at school. This is even lower among two subgroups of female students-middle school girls and African American girls. In contrast, high school boys are most likely to
say breakfast helps them concentrate during the school day.
Based on your own experiences, tell me on a scale that goes from 0 to 10 where 0 means it does not help you at all and 10 means it helps you a lot how
much does eating breakfast help you concentrate and learn during the school day. You can use any number between zero and ten.
How Much Eating Breakfast Helps You to Concentrate, Learn
Boys
Girls
MS boys
MS girls
HS boys
HS girls
Whites
African Americans
White boys
White girls
Af Am boys*
Af Am girls*
21
*Note small sample size
59%
57%
72%
77%
73%
68%
58%
59%
60%
55%
80%
74%
61%
57%
75%
73%
75%
76%
78%
60%
63%
59%
54%
"8-10: Helps a lot"
69%
"6-7"
Regionally, students in the greater Baltimore area are less likely to believe this,
while students in the Metro DC part of Maryland show more awareness than others.
Still nearly two-thirds across groups make this connection.
Based on your own experiences, tell me on a scale that goes from 0 to 10 where 0 means it does not help you at all and 10 means it helps you a lot how
much does eating breakfast help you concentrate and learn during the school day. You can use any number between zero and ten.
How Much Eating Breakfast Helps You to Concentrate, Learn
Western/Middle
Metro Baltimore
Eastern Shore/Southern*
Metro DC
74%
55%
50%
69%
59%
72%
66%
"8-10: Helps a lot"
22
*Note small sample size
80%
"6-7"
Similarly, three-quarters of both middle school and high school students see a
connection between eating a healthy breakfast and being successful in class. Nearly
six in ten say they see a big connection.
Based on your own experiences, tell me on a scale that goes from 0 to 10 where 0 means no connection at all and 10 means a very strong connection how
big of a connection do you see between eating a healthy breakfast and being successful in class. You can use any number between zero and ten.
How much of a Connection Between Eating a Healthy Breakfast & Being
Successful in Class
76%
Total (Mean 7.7)
Middle School (Mean
7.6)
High School (Mean
7.7)
"0-4"
23
8% 6%
17%
59%
75%
10% 4%
16%
58%
77%
7% 8%
18%
"5: Neutral"
59%
'"6-7"
Nearly seven out of ten across demographic subgroups see a connection, except for those
who do not usually eat breakfast (58 percent say 6-10).
"8-10"
Female high school students, middle school boys, and African-American students are
less likely than others to see a strong connection between eating breakfast and
being successful in class.
Based on your own experiences, tell me on a scale that goes from 0 to 10 where 0 means no connection at all and 10 means a very strong connection how
big of a connection do you see between eating a healthy breakfast and being successful in class. You can use any number between zero and ten.
Connection Between Eating a Healthy Breakfast & Being Successful in Class
Boys
Girls
MS boys
MS girls
HS boys
HS girls
Whites
African Americans
White boys
White girls
Af Am boys*
Af Am girls*
24
59%
58%
76%
76%
56%
61%
62%
55%
75%
75%
77%
77%
63%
55%
79%
74%
"8-10: Strong Connection"
*Note small sample size
77%
81%
78%
66%
61%
54%
56%
69%
"6-7"
Again, in the Metro Baltimore region, students are less likely to recognize a strong
connection between eating breakfast and being successful in class.
Based on your own experiences, tell me on a scale that goes from 0 to 10 where 0 means no connection at all and 10 means a very strong connection how
big of a connection do you see between eating a healthy breakfast and being successful in class. You can use any number between zero and ten.
Connection Between Eating a Healthy Breakfast & Being Successful in Class
Western/Middle
Metro Baltimore
Eastern Shore/Southern*
Metro DC
51%
*Note small sample size
71%
60%
82%
62%
"8-10: Strong Connection"
25
74%
61%
79%
"6-7"
Reported Breakfast Habits & Feeling Hungry
A majority of students report that they usually eat breakfast during the school
year—either at home before school or at school. A plurality of students do not
report arriving at school hungry, but a majority are hungry before they reach
their lunch periods.
The large majority of students report eating breakfast during a typical week
during the school year. Middle school students are more likely to eat school
breakfast than high schoolers, while high school students are more likely to
not eat breakfast at all.
Thinking about a typical week -- do you usually eat breakfast before coming to school, eat breakfast at school, or do you usually not eat breakfast?
Reported Breakfast Habits During Typical School Week
69%
69%
69%
Eat breakfast before coming to school
Eat breakfast at school
11%
15%
8%
17%
14%
20%
Don't eat breakfast at all
Combination of school and home
27
2%
1%
3%
Majorities of students across demographic groups
say they eat breakfast before coming to school.
Total
Middle school
High School
Middle school girls and high school boys are more likely than their
counterparts to eat breakfast at home. High school girls are especially more
likely to skip breakfast.
Thinking about a typical week -- do you usually eat breakfast before coming to school, eat breakfast at school, or do you usually not eat breakfast?
Reported Breakfast Habits During Typical School Week
28
Total
MS Boys
MS Girls
HS Boys
HS Girls
Eat breakfast at home
69%
66%
72%
71%
67%
Eat breakfast at school
11%
15%
14%
8%
9%
Usually do not eat breakfast at all
17%
17%
11%
17%
22%
Combination of school and home
2%
1%
1%
4%
2%
White students are more likely to eat breakfast at home, before school,
than their African-American schoolmates. Alternatively, African-American
students are more likely to eat school breakfast. African-American girls are
more likely than other students to skip breakfast.
Thinking about a typical week -- do you usually eat breakfast before coming to school, eat breakfast at school, or do you usually not eat breakfast?
Reported Breakfast Habits During Typical School Week
29
Total
White
Boys
White
Girls
Af Am
Boys*
Af Am
Girls*
Eat breakfast at home
69%
75%
81%
61%
51%
Eat breakfast at school
11%
7%
7%
16%
20%
Usually do not eat breakfast at all
17%
17%
11%
15%
24%
Combination of school and home
2%
1%
1%
8%
2%
*Note small sample size
Across regions, the majority of students report eating breakfast at home,
with students in the Western/Middle region and the Metro DC region
especially likely to eat breakfast at home. One quarter of the middle and
high school students living in the Metro Baltimore area report not eating
breakfast.
Thinking about a typical week -- do you usually eat breakfast before coming to school, eat breakfast at school, or do you usually not eat breakfast?
Reported Breakfast Habits During Typical School Week
Total
Western/
Middle
Baltimore
Metro
Eastern
Shore/
Southern*
DC Metro
Eat breakfast at home
69%
74%
59%
63%
74%
Eat breakfast at school
11%
8%
13%
14%
10%
Usually do not eat breakfast at all
17%
18%
25%
14%
14%
Combination of school and home
2%
--
3%
9%
1%
High school students living in the Baltimore and DC Metro regions are especially likely to say
that they usually skip breakfast (21 percent).
30
*Note small sample size
Students who get themselves to school are less likely than
other students to eat school breakfast.
Thinking about a typical week -- do you usually eat breakfast before coming to school, eat breakfast at school, or do you usually not eat breakfast?
Reported Breakfast Habits During Typical School Week
31
Total
Bus-riders
Ride from
parents/
family
Eat breakfast at home
69%
69%
68%
75%
Eat breakfast at school
11%
14%
10%
4%
Usually do not eat breakfast at all
17%
16%
15%
21%
Combination of school and home
2%
2%
6%
--
*Self-transport includes students who: walk or ride a bike to school or drive themselves or with friends. Note small
sample size
Selftransport*
Students most likely to eat breakfast at home are white, especially white
female students, students who walk, bike or drive themselves to school,
and students in both the Western/Middle and Metro DC regions. Those
most likely to eat breakfast at school are middle schoolers and African
Americans.
Students Most Likely to Eat
Breakfast at Home
• White students (78%),
especially white girls (81%)
• Students who get to school by
walking/biking or driving
selves or driving with friends*
(75%)
• Western/Middle region (74%)
• Metro DC region (74%)
32
*Note small sample size
Students Most Likely than Others
to Eat School Breakfast
• Middle schoolers (15%)
• African-American students
(18%)
Students most likely to skip breakfast are high schoolers, older high
schoolers, high school girls, African-American girls, students who get
themselves to school, and Baltimore region students.
Students Most Likely to Usually Not Eat Breakfast
At All
• High schoolers (20%), especially students
aged 17-18 (21%)
• High school girls (22%)
• African-American girls* (24%)
• Students who get to school by
walking/biking or driving selves or driving
with friends* (21%)
• Students living in Metro Baltimore region
(25%)
33
*Note small sample size
Time—not having enough before class and wanting to spend their time socializing—are
middle and high school students’ top reasons for not eating school breakfast. The cost of
breakfast is also a strong barrier for high school students. Feeling embarrassed about
eating school breakfast and being unaware of its availability are not top reasons.
Of the following reasons, which would you say are the ONE OR TWO reasons you do not eat breakfast at school?
Reasons for Not Eating Breakfast At School
(Asked Only of Students Who Usually Eat Breakfast before Coming to School)
Total
Middle
High
There is not enough time before class
25%
26%
24%
I’d rather spend the time with friends before school starts
23%
21%
24%
It is too expensive
22%
16%
26%
It is not convenient
18%
17%
19%
I’d rather spend the time sleeping or getting ready for school
17%
20%
16%
My ride to school/the bus does not get me there in time
15%
15%
16%
I’m not hungry at the time breakfast is offered
11%
12%
10%
None of my friends eat breakfast at school
10%
8%
12%
It is too embarrassing
4%
3%
5%
I didn’t know you could get breakfast at school
4%
7%
2%
All of the above
1%
1%
1%
None of the above
3%
4%
3%
Students were allowed to pick two
34
Spending time with friends before school is a stronger reason for not eating school breakfast
for boys than it is for girls. Boys are also more likely to say they just aren’t hungry when school
breakfast is offered. Girls, on the other hand, are more likely than boys to want to spend their
extra time sleeping or getting ready for school.
Of the following reasons, which would you say are the ONE OR TWO reasons you do not eat breakfast at school?
Reasons for Not Eating Breakfast At School
(Asked Only of Students Who Usually Eat Breakfast before Coming to School)
Total
Boys
Girls
There is not enough time before class
25%
25%
25%
I’d rather spend the time with friends before school starts
23%
29%
17%
It is too expensive
22%
20%
25%
It is not convenient
18%
19%
18%
I’d rather spend the time sleeping or getting ready for school
17%
12%
22%
My ride to school/the bus does not get me there in time
15%
15%
16%
I’m not hungry at the time breakfast is offered
11%
16%
5%
None of my friends eat breakfast at school
10%
6%
15%
It is too embarrassing
4%
4%
4%
I didn’t know you could get breakfast at school
4%
4%
4%
All of the above
1%
--
2%
None of the above
3%
5%
1%
Students were allowed to pick two
35
High school girls are especially likely to name cost as a barrier (30%) and to say that none of their friends eat school breakfast (19%).
Among both white and African-American students, time, cost and
convenience are the strongest barriers.
Of the following reasons, which would you say are the ONE OR TWO reasons you do not eat breakfast at school?
Reasons for Not Eating Breakfast At School
(Asked Only of Students Who Usually Eat Breakfast before Coming to School)
Total
Whites
Af. Ams.*
There is not enough time before class
25%
23%
27%
I’d rather spend the time with friends before school starts
23%
22%
26%
It is too expensive
22%
23%
19%
It is not convenient
18%
17%
12%
I’d rather spend the time sleeping or getting ready for school
17%
15%
22%
My ride to school/the bus does not get me there in time
15%
14%
19%
I’m not hungry at the time breakfast is offered
11%
9%
14%
None of my friends eat breakfast at school
10%
12%
8%
It is too embarrassing
4%
5%
1%
I didn’t know you could get breakfast at school
4%
6%
1%
All of the above
1%
2%
--
None of the above
3%
4%
1%
Students were allowed to pick two
36
*Note small sample size
Middle school boys are among those mostly likely to say there is not
enough time before class to eat school breakfast. Students who ride the bus
in areas of the state outside of the Baltimore/DC Metro areas are also
particularly likely to cite these reasons.
Students Most Likely to Cite as a
Barrier: There is Not Enough Time
Before Class (25 percent)
• Middle school boys* (30 percent)
• Middle schoolers not living in the
Baltimore/DC Metro regions* (32
percent)
37
*Note small sample size
Students Most Likely to Cite as a
Barrier: School Bus/Ride Does Not Get
me There on Time (15 percent)
• Students who ride the bus to
school and do not live in
Baltimore/DC Metro regions (23
percent)
Students most likely to say they do not eat school breakfast because it is
too expensive are older—aged 17-18, high school girls, and students who
either drive themselves to school or walk/bike to school.
Students Most Likely to Cite as a Barrier: Cost of School
Breakfast (22 percent)
• Students aged 17-18* (35 percent)
• High school girls (30 percent)
• Students who get to school by walk/bike or
driving selves or driving with friends* (37
percent)
38
*Note small sample size
Examining the views of the nearly two in ten students (17 percent) who say they do
not usually eat breakfast at all, we find the top reasons given are lack of time and
that they are not hungry that early in the morning. Very few students report
skipping breakfast because they are trying to watch their weight, or because there is
insufficient food at home or no one at home to prepare breakfast for them.
Of the following reasons, which would you say are the ONE OR TWO reasons you usually do not eat breakfast?
Reasons for Not Usually Eating Breakfast Anywhere
(Asked Only of Students Who Do not Usually Eat Breakfast)
Students were allowed to pick two
I just don’t have time in the morning/I am too rushed
48%
I am not hungry that early in the morning
47%
I prefer to spend the time sleeping or getting ready for school
32%
I don’t like breakfast food
11%
I eat lunch early enough at school that I don’t need breakfast
7%
I am trying to watch my weight
4%
There is not enough food at my house
3%
There is no one at home to make me breakfast
1%
*N=71. This small sample size limits subgroup analysis.
39
Total*
Pluralities of students say they do not feel hungry at the start of the school day while a quarter
say they start their school day feeling hungry most or all of the time. Yet, while many students
are not arriving at school hungry, a solid majority say they feel hungry before their lunch
period and that this happens all or most of the time.
Thinking about your typical school week, how often would you say you START YOUR SCHOOL DAY feeling hungry? Thinking about your typical school week,
how often would you say you feel hungry BEFORE your LUNCH PERIOD?
Frequency of Feeling Hungry at the Start of
the School Day
Frequency of Feeling Hungry Before Lunch
Period
48%
-76%
-28%
Never
40
14%
-19% 8%
24%
Not very often
Sometimes
-42%
-28%
All the time
-5% 26%
Most of the time
Majorities of all demographic groups, except white girls (49 percent) report feeling hungry all or
most of the time before lunch.
57%
Across middle and high schoolers, less than one quarter of students report
frequently arriving at school hungry. While nearly six in ten say they frequently feel
hungry before their lunch period comes. High school students report this happening
with more frequency than middle schoolers.
Thinking about your typical school week, how often would you say you START YOUR SCHOOL DAY feeling hungry? Thinking about your typical school week,
how often would you say you feel hungry BEFORE your LUNCH PERIOD?
Frequency of Feeling Hungry Before Your
Lunch Period
Frequency of Feeling Hungry at the Start of
the School Day
48%
Total
-76%
-28%
-19%
14%
24%
-42%
-28%
47%
Middle School
-80%
-33%
-73%
-25%
Never
41
57%
13%
-18%
19%
-41%
-28%
48%
High School
26%
-20%
Not very often
20%
60%
15%
27%
Sometimes
-44%
-29%
All the time
29%
Most of the time
56%
Students most likely to report starting the school day hungry are older high
schoolers, male high schoolers, African-American students, high school
students living in the Baltimore and DC Metro regions, as well as students
who skip breakfast or eat school breakfast. Among the students most likely
to get hungry before lunch are those who eat school breakfast—indicating
whatever students are eating may not be sufficient.
Students Most likely to Report Starting
the School Day off Hungry
Students Most Likely to Feel Hungry
Before Lunch Period
(% saying happens all or most of the time)
(% saying happens all or most of the time)
• 17-18 year-olds (35 percent)
• High school boys (29 percent)
• African-American students (35
percent)
• High schoolers in Baltimore/DC
Metro regions (31 percent)
• Students who report skipping
breakfast* (36 percent)
• Students who report eating
school breakfast* (42 percent)
42
*Note small sample size
• Middle school boys* (67 percent)
• White boys (66 percent)
• Students who report eating
school breakfast* (63 percent)
The Issues of Time and Convenience
Time, and lack of time, plays a role in students not eating breakfast at all, and in
students not eating school breakfast. Students do not view school breakfast as
necessarily difficult to get, and students who actually eat school breakfast give it
a high convenience rating. Still, a majority say they would be more likely to eat
school breakfast if it were easier to get.
Among students overall, three-quarters of students say they would be more likely to
eat breakfast if they had more time. Only 23 percent of students say they still would
not eat breakfast with more time. These views are consistent across middle and
high school students.
And again, thinking about your typical week, if you had the time would you want to eat breakfast, or would you choose not to eat breakfast?
If you Had Time, Would you Eat Breakfast?
75%
Would eat if had
time
Would choose not
to eat
74%
76%
23%
24%
22%
Total
Middle school
High school
Nearly seven out of ten students across demographic groups
say they would eat breakfast if they had time.
44
Both students who usually eat breakfast at home or at school say more time would
boost their likelihood of eating breakfast. Among students who skip breakfast, 59
percent of these students say they would eat breakfast if they had time. While the
other 41 percent say they would be no more likely to eat, even with more time.
And again, thinking about your typical week, if you had the time would you want to eat breakfast, or would you choose not to eat breakfast?
If you Had Time, Would you Eat Breakfast?
75%
78%
Would eat if had
time
88%
59%
Total
Would choose not
to eat
23%
20%
Those who eat b'fast
at home
12%
41%
45
*Note small sample size
Those who eat b'fast
at school*
Those who don't eat
breakfast*
Students who are more in control of their own transportation to school—
walk, bike or drive themselves, or ride with friends—are more likely to say
they would choose to eat breakfast with more time, as are students living in
the Metro DC region of Maryland.
Students Most Likely to Say they Would Eat School
Breakfast if Had More Time
• Students who get to school by walk/bike or
driving selves or driving with friends* (82
percent)
• Students living in Metro DC region (80
percent)
• Middle schoolers living in Baltimore/DC
Metro regions* (81 percent)
46
*Note small sample size
Nearly half of students say they do not feel able to rate the convenience of school
breakfast because they do not eat it. Among the other half of students who do rate
the convenience, 49 percent give an A or B grade for ease of getting their school
breakfast food and having time to eat it. Only two in ten give it a poor grade of a D
or F.
Now, I have a question about breakfast at YOUR SCHOOL. Use a letter grade—A, B, C, D, or F—where A means excellent and F means fail, to rate how easy
it is for you to get your school breakfast food and have time to eat it. [PROMPT: How easy is it for you to get your food and have time to eat it?]
School Breakfast: How Easy Is it to Get Your Food and Have Time to Eat It
49%
Only Among Students
Who Give A Convenience
Rating
A
47
17%
B
20%
32%
31%
C
D
10% 10%
F
Students who actually eat school breakfast give it high convenience ratings, with
two-thirds rating its convenience an A or B. In contrast, students who usually eat
breakfast at home give lower convenience scores. This suggests a perception gap
exists, in which students who do not eat school breakfast may be unaware of how
convenient it might be.
Now, I have a question about breakfast at YOUR SCHOOL. Use a letter grade—A, B, C, D, or F—where A means excellent and F means fail, to rate how easy
it is for you to get your school breakfast food and have time to eat it. [PROMPT: How easy is it for you to get your food and have time to eat it?]
Only Among Those Giving a Rating: How Easy Is it to Get Your Food and Have
Time to Eat It
49%
Total
17%
32%
31%
10%
10%
66%
Students who eat school
breakfast*
25%
40%
30%
2%
44%
Students eat breakfast at
home
A
48 *Note small sample size
17%
27%
B
33%
C
14%
D
9%
F
Middle school students give higher convenience ratings for school breakfast
than do high school students.
Now, I have a question about breakfast at YOUR SCHOOL. Use a letter grade—A, B, C, D, or F—where A means excellent and F means fail, to rate how easy
it is for you to get your school breakfast food and have time to eat it. [PROMPT: How easy is it for you to get your food and have time to eat it?]
School Breakfast Convenience Rating: How Easy Is it To Get and Your Food
% saying A/B
% saying D/F
Total
49%
20%
Middle School
54%
15%
High School
45%
24%
Boys
47%
18%
Girls
51%
23%
*Only Among Those Giving a Convenience Rating
49
White female students are particularly likely to believe it is
easy to get their breakfast food and have time to eat it.
Now, I have a question about breakfast at YOUR SCHOOL. Use a letter grade—A, B, C, D, or F—where A means excellent and F means fail, to rate how easy
it is for you to get your school breakfast food and have time to eat it. [PROMPT: How easy is it for you to get your food and have time to eat it?]
School Breakfast Convenience Rating: How Easy Is it To Get and Your Food
% saying A/B
% saying D/F
Total
49%
20%
Whites
52%
21%
African Americans*
48%
16%
White Boys*
43%
23%
White Girls*
61%
19%
*Only Among Those Giving a Convenience Rating
50
*Note small sample size
Students most likely give an A or B grade for convenience of school breakfasts are
middle schoolers, aged 11-13, white girls, and students who already eat school
breakfast regularly. In contrast, high school girls are more likely to see school
breakfast as not very convenient.
Students Most likely to Give
Convenience of School Breakfast
an A or B
• Middle schoolers (54 percent)
• Students aged 11-13* (56
percent)
• White girls* (61 percent)
• Students who eat school
breakfast* (66 percent)
51
*Note small sample size
Students Most likely to Give
Convenience of School Breakfast a
D or F
• High school girls* (25 percent)
Over six in ten students say that they would be more likely to eat breakfast
at school if it were easier to get. Nearly four in ten say they would be much
more likely to eat if it were easier.
Would you be more likely to eat breakfast at school if your school made it easier for you to get breakfast, or would that not make much of a difference to
you? (If more likely, Ask: Is that much or somewhat likely?)
Likelihood of Eating Breakfast at School if School Made it Easier to Get
Breakfast
Total
Middle school
High school
-37%
-39%
63%
35%
-36%
No difference
52
36%
61%
37%
Much more likely
64%
Somewhat more likely
Majorities of students across demographic groups say they would be more likely to
eat breakfast if it was easier to get.
Making breakfast easier to get is particularly important for
students who do not eat breakfast and those who eat school
breakfast.
Would you be more likely to eat breakfast at school if your school made it easier for you to get breakfast, or would that not make much of a difference to
you? (If more likely, Ask: Is that much or somewhat likely?)
Likelihood of Eating Breakfast at School if School Made it Easier to Get
Breakfast
-37%
Total
Those who eat b'fast at
home
-41%
Those who eat b'fast at
school*
Those who do not eat
b'fast*
No difference
53
*Note small sample size
36%
63%
30%
59%
60%
-29%
-31%
41%
Much more likely
71%
69%
Somewhat more likely
African-American students, especially African-American girls, middle school girls,
and bus riders are particularly likely to say they would be more likely to eat
breakfast if it were easier to get.
Students Most likely to Say they Would
be Much More likely to Eat Breakfast If
it Were Easier to Get
•
•
•
•
•
•
54
African-American students (48
percent)
Middle school girls (41 percent)
African-American girls* (53 percent)
Students who take the bus to school
(42 percent)
Students who eat school breakfast*
(60 percent)
Students who skip all breakfast* (41
percent)
*Note small sample size
Students Most likely to say Making
Breakfast Easier to get Makes Little
Difference to them
•
•
•
White students (44 percent)
White boys (48 percent)
Students whose parents or family
members drive them to school (45
percent)
Potential Changes to School Breakfast
Maryland middle and high schoolers respond positively to a range of different
approaches to how breakfast could be served in their schools, with middle
schoolers demonstrating more enthusiasm than high school students across the
board.
From among the six different approaches for changing school breakfast and how it is
served in middle or high schools, students say all of those tested would make them
more likely to eat school breakfast.
Now let me read you some changes your school could make around school breakfasts and for each one tell me if that happened whether you would be
more or less likely to eat breakfast at school. [If more/less likely, Ask: Is that much/somewhat more or less likely?]
Potential Changes to School Breakfast: Make you More likely to Eat School Breakfast?
Having breakfast served to you in your first period classroom, at
beginning of class period
48%
71%
No diff.
19%
Make breakfast part of the school day by building it into
schedule, like lunch
46%
73%
20%
Offered more breakfast items you like to eat
44%
74%
23%
Having breakfast items on a cart, allowing you to grab items and
take them to eat in your first period classroom
43%
73%
16%
Having a second chance to get breakfast items from a cart
between first and second period, and taking those items to class
to eat
44%
Being allowed to take breakfast items from cafeteria & eat in first
period classroom
Much more likely
56
40%
Somewhat more likely
69%
64%
18%
24%
All of these approaches to school breakfast are highly appealing to students who say they
usually skip eating breakfast. Additionally, they are appealing to students who report they
usually eat school breakfast already. Students who eat at home already are the least
enthusiastic about the potential approaches, but majorities still say all of the approaches
tested would make them more likely to eat breakfast at school.
Now let me read you some changes your school could make around school breakfasts and for each one tell me if that happened whether you would be
more or less likely to eat breakfast at school. [If more/less likely, Ask: Is that much/somewhat more or less likely?]
Potential Approaches to Serving School Breakfast
Total
Eat school
b’fast*
Eat at
home
Don’t usually
eat b’fast*
Have b’fast served in 1st period classrooms
at the beginning of class
48% (71%)
56% (71%)
42% (68%)
62% (80%)
Make b’fast part of school day, like lunch
46% (73%)
64% (80%)
40% (71%)
56% (71%)
Provide more b’fast items I like to eat
44% (74%)
73% (91%)
40% (72%)
40% (67%)
Have b’fast items on grab & go cart, to take
& eat in 1st period classrooms
43% (73%)
65% (86%)
35% (69%)
53% (78%)
Having a second chance at grab & go carts
between 1st and 2nd period
44% (69%)
69% (87%)
35% (64%)
55% (75%)
Taking b’fast from cafeteria to eat in 1st
period classrooms
40% (64%)
54% (70%)
35% (63%)
47% (62%)
% saying much more likely (% saying much and
somewhat more likely)
57
*Note small sample size
Middle school students are consistently more interested than high
schoolers in all six of the potential approaches. Still, strong majorities of
high school students say all of the potential approaches would make them
generally more likely to eat breakfast at school.
Now let me read you some changes your school could make around school breakfasts and for each one tell me if that happened whether you would be
more or less likely to eat breakfast at school. [If more/less likely, Ask: Is that much/somewhat more or less likely?]
Potential Approaches to Serving School Breakfast
58
% saying much more likely (% saying much and somewhat
more likely)
Total
Middle Schl
High Schl
Have b’fast served in 1st period classrooms at the
beginning of class
48% (71%)
52% (72%)
45% (71%)
Make b’fast part of school day, like lunch
46% (73%)
49% (69%)
44% (75%)
Provide more b’fast items I like to eat
44% (74%)
46% (72%)
43% (75%)
Have b’fast items on grab & go cart, to take & eat in
1st period classrooms
43% (73%)
48% (72%)
40% (74%)
Having a second chance at grab & go carts between
1st and 2nd period
44% (69%)
46% (69%)
42% (70%)
Taking b’fast from cafeteria to eat in 1st period
classrooms
40% (64%)
43% (65%)
37% (63%)
Middle school boys are especially enthusiastic about in-classroom
breakfast, making breakfast part of the school day, and offering more
breakfast items they enjoy eating. High school girls prove to be the least
enthusiastic about any of the approaches offered.
Now let me read you some changes your school could make around school breakfasts and for each one tell me if that happened whether you would be
more or less likely to eat breakfast at school. [If more/less likely, Ask: Is that much/somewhat more or less likely?]
Potential Approaches to Serving School Breakfast
Total
MS
Boys*
MS Girls
HS Boys
HS Girls
Have b’fast served in 1st period
classrooms at the beginning of class
48% (71%)
53% (69%)
51% (74%)
48% (71%)
42% (72%)
Make b’fast part of school day, like
lunch
46% (73%)
51% (68%)
47% (70%)
46% (76%)
42% (74%)
Provide more b’fast items I like to eat
44% (74%)
54% (75%)
39% (70%)
42% (73%)
44% (77%)
Have b’fast items on grab & go cart, to
take & eat in 1st period classrooms
43% (73%)
48% (74%)
47% (70%)
39% (72%)
40% (76%)
Having a second chance at grab & go
carts between 1st and 2nd period
44% (69%)
46% (66%)
45% (71%)
44% (66%)
41% (74%)
Taking b’fast from cafeteria to eat in 1st
period classrooms
40% (64%)
45% (65%)
42% (65%)
39% (63%)
36% (63%)
% saying much more likely (% saying much and
somewhat more likely)
59
*Note small sample size
African-American students are especially enthusiastic about all of the
potential approaches.
Now let me read you some changes your school could make around school breakfasts and for each one tell me if that happened whether you would be
more or less likely to eat breakfast at school. [If more/less likely, Ask: Is that much/somewhat more or less likely?]
Potential Approaches to Serving School Breakfast
% saying much more likely (% saying much and
somewhat more likely)
Total
Whites
Af. Americans
Have b’fast served in 1st period
classrooms at the beginning of class
48%
(71%)
43%
(67%)
55%
(78%)
Make b’fast part of school day, like
lunch
46%
(73%)
43%
(70%)
51%
(75%)
Provide more b’fast items I like to eat
44%
(74%)
36%
(70%)
61%
(79%)
Have b’fast items on grab & go cart, to
take & eat in 1st period classrooms
43%
(73%)
37%
(70%)
55%
(78%)
Having a second chance at grab & go
carts between 1st and 2nd period
44%
(69%)
36%
(63%)
60%
(78%)
Taking b’fast from cafeteria to eat in 1st
period classrooms
40%
(64%)
35%
(60%)
48%
(68%)
*Note small sample size
60
African-American boys* are particularly enthusiastic about building
breakfast into part of the school day (57% much more likely).
AfricanAmerican
girls* are
especially
interested in
in-classroom
breakfasts
(59% much
more likely),
more things
they like to
eat (65%),
and the grab
& go cart
(60%).
Students whose parents or other family members drive them to school are
particularly interested in seeing breakfast be built into the school day, much like
lunch, and in grab and go carts. Students who drive, walk, or bicycle themselves to
school are slightly less enthusiastic about the range of approaches tested.
Now let me read you some changes your school could make around school breakfasts and for each one tell me if that happened whether you would be
more or less likely to eat breakfast at school. [If more/less likely, Ask: Is that much/somewhat more or less likely?]
Potential Approaches to Serving School Breakfast
61
Bus-riders
Ride from
parents/
family
Self-transport*
48%
(71%)
50%
(72%)
46%
(74%)
42%
(64%)
Make b’fast part of school day, like lunch
46%
(73%)
46%
(73%)
51%
(74%)
43%
(70%)
Provide more b’fast items I like to eat
44%
(74%)
46%
(76%)
48%
(77%)
32%
(62%)
Have b’fast items on grab & go cart, to take &
eat in 1st period classrooms
43%
(73%)
43%
(71%)
47%
(79%)
33%
(67%)
Having a second chance at grab & go carts
between 1st and 2nd period
44%
(69%)
42%
(65%)
49%
(72%)
36%
(73%)
Taking b’fast from cafeteria to eat in 1st period
classrooms
40%
(64%)
39%
(63%)
40%
(67%)
36%
(61%)
% saying much more likely (% saying much and
somewhat more likely)
Total
Have b’fast served in 1st period classrooms at
the beginning of class
*Note small sample size
Across the different regions of the state, very strong majorities of students say these potential
approaches would make them more likely to eat school breakfast.
Now let me read you some changes your school could make around school breakfasts and for each one tell me if that happened whether you would be
more or less likely to eat breakfast at school. [If more/less likely, Ask: Is that much/somewhat more or less likely?]
Potential Approaches to Serving School Breakfast
Total
Western/
Middle
Baltimore
Metro
Eastern
Shore/
Southern*
DC Metro
Have b’fast served in 1st period classrooms at
the beginning of class
48%
(71%)
47%
(71%)
47%
(73%)
52%
(72%)
47%
(70%)
Make b’fast part of school day, like lunch
46%
(73%)
49%
(72%)
44%
(66%)
49%
(76%)
43%
(77%)
Provide more b’fast items I like to eat
44%
(74%)
40%
(71%)
48%
(76%)
56%
(78%)
40%
(72%)
Have b’fast items on grab & go cart, to take &
eat in 1st period classrooms
43%
(73%)
41%
(68%)
40%
(73%)
42%
(75%)
47%
(78%)
Having a second chance at grab & go carts
between 1st and 2nd period
44%
(69%)
41%
(67%)
45%
(68%)
45%
(71%)
45%
(72%)
Taking b’fast from cafeteria to eat in 1st period
classrooms
40%
(64%)
44%
(64%)
36%
(58%)
41%
(69%)
38%
(65%)
% saying much more likely (% saying much and
somewhat more likely)
*Note small sample size
62
Grab and go carts are especially popular among middle school students in the Baltimore
Metro and DC Metro regions (49% saying much more likely).
When students who say the grab and go carts would make them more likely eat breakfast are
asked why this is the case, they cite time, convenience, and being able to fit eating breakfast
into their social routines as the top reasons. The quick factor of the carts is particularly
important for high school students. Reduced stigma, phrased in the survey as, “other students
would be doing it with me” is less of a factor for students.
What would be the MOST appealing thing for you about the idea of getting breakfast items off of a cart and taking them to class to eat?
Most Appealing About Breakfast Grab and Go Carts
(Asked Only of Students Who said Grab and Go Carts and Second Chance Carts made them
“More Likely” to Eat Breakfast)
Total
Middle
Schl
High
Schl
I can do it as part of my routine to class and to my locker
48%
45%
49%
I can socialize with my friends while I do it
39%
41%
38%
It would only take me a few minutes
38%
29%
43%
Other students would be doing it with me, so I would not
be embarrassed
14%
17%
12%
All of the above
2%
1%
2%
None of the above
--
1%
--
Students were allowed to pick two
63