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Abstract
The impact of breakfasts of different glycaemic loads on the performance of nineteen
children, aged six to seven years, was explored. Over a four week period, children
attended a school breakfast club each day and ate one of three meals. Each meal offered
a similar amount of energy but differed in their glycaemic load. When working individually,
the behaviour of a child was rated in the classroom every ten seconds for 30 min to
produce a measure of time spent on task. Memory was assessed by asking for the recall
of a series of objects. The ability to sustain attention was measured by asking for
a response after various delays. The incidence of negative behaviour was recorded
when playing a video game that was too difficult to allow success. Two to three hours
after a low glycaemic load breakfast had been consumed, performance on the tests of
memory and the ability to sustain attention were better, fewer signs of frustration
were displayed and initially more time was spent on task when working individually
in class. The importance of the results was discussed in the context of the wide range
of factors that influence behaviour in school.