Nearly three-quarters of high school students skip breakfast regularly, and the reasons go far beyond a busy morning.
Saima Hasnin, Ph.D., M.S.
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Chair-Elect, Division of Nutrition Education for Children, Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB)
When the alarm buzzes early in the morning, many high school students hit snooze, grab their backpacks, and skip one important part of the day: breakfast. If you’re a parent, you may have noticed your teenager rushing out the door with nothing but a phone in hand. If you’re a student yourself, you’ve probably heard classmates joke about getting through the morning on water or, worse, energy drinks until lunch. Students may see skipping breakfast as no big deal, just one less thing in a busy morning, but this small habit can have bigger impacts than it seems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 73% of high school students in the United States do not eat breakfast regularly.
Why teens skip the meal
So, why is this happening? Girls are more likely to begin skipping breakfast at a younger age than boys. Others simply don’t enjoy typical breakfast foods. Daily routines also get in the way. Many students stay up late, struggle to wake up, and end up rushing out the door with no time to eat.
For some, it’s not about time or taste at all — it’s about stigma. Even when free school breakfast is available, students may feel embarrassed to use it, missing out on a meal that could help them start the day strong.
Then there’s a common belief that skipping breakfast might help avoid weight gain, but that idea doesn’t hold up. Without breakfast, energy drops, and physical activity classes before lunch can feel exhausting instead of enjoyable. What begins as a missed meal can ripple across the entire school day.
Breakfast, success, and mental health
Research studies show that breakfast is linked to academic performance. In 2023, U.S. high school students who earned higher grades (As and Bs) were 33% less likely to skip breakfast than students with lower grades. Hunger makes it harder to focus in classes. Eating in the morning helps students stay alert, concentrate longer, and participate in class. Simply put, nutrition and learning are deeply intertwined. A nourished brain is better prepared to learn.
Skipping breakfast is also linked to poor mental health. Recent research shows that students who skipped breakfast every day for a week were more likely to report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. In contrast, students who felt connected to people at school and supported by peers and adults were less likely to skip breakfast. This tells us something important. For many teens, skipping breakfast is not just about food. It can be a sign of stress, emotional strain, or feeling disconnected. In this way, breakfast becomes more than a meal; it becomes a marker of well-being.
What can we do?
Families, schools, and communities all play a role in supporting students’ healthy eating habits and sense of belonging. Schools can offer breakfast in ways that make it easier for more students to eat, such as grab-and-go options that allow students to eat during the first period. At home, meals don’t need to be elaborate. Simple foods like fruit, yogurt, smoothies, or sandwiches can make a difference. It’s also important to challenge myths: Skipping breakfast doesn’t promote healthy weight loss and can disrupt metabolism. Balanced meals, physical activity, and healthy routines have been proven to support physical and mental well-being.
Starting the day with breakfast may seem like a small choice, but it can shape how adolescents learn, feel, and thrive. The reasons students skip breakfast are not simple. They include busy schedules, limited access, social pressures, and even underlying stress or disconnection. Understanding these factors helps answer an important question: Skipping breakfast is not just a matter of choice, but often a reflection of the environment and the supports surrounding young people. Take a moment to rethink your morning habits or explore ways to support school breakfast programs that help students start their day right.
