Owyhee Elementary Students Learn the Importance of “What’s for Breakfast?”

Students at Boise’s Owyhee Elementary will be learning about the importance of eating breakfast through classroom instruction and activities in the next few weeks, thanks to a partnership between the school, Central District Health Department (CDHD), the Idaho Dairy Council and dietetic master’s candidate Deena LaJoie.

Research has shown that students who eat breakfast pay better attention in class, are better at problem solving, have fewer absences and have a reduced tendency for obesity later in life. The problem is that children do not eat breakfast every day, even when they can get the meal at school free or at a reduced rate. From L to R: Becky Alexander (McDonald's), Crystal Wilson (UDI), Nancy Rush (CDHD), Caroline Keegan (UDI), Deena LaJoie (Grad Student) Such is the case at Owyhee Elementary, where 53% of the students qualify for free or reduced breakfast and lunch, but only 15% take advantage of breakfast offerings. Nearly 40% of Owyhee students don’t regularly eat breakfast on school days.

In the coming weeks dietetic graduate student Deena LaJoie will be providing nutrition education to select classes at the school. The goals of the program are to improve student knowledge of the importance of eating breakfast, and to increase the number of students who actually eat breakfast before starting their school day.

A group of the students, their parents and members of the Parent Teacher Organization will celebrate the kick-off of the program with a breakfast at McDonald’s Monday January 24th. Just coincidentally, McDonald’s is rolling out its new Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, a meal that offers fiber, whole grain and fresh fruit. Coupled with low fat milk the meal offers many of the ingredients recommended for a healthy breakfast. Students will be entertained by the Power Panther, who works tirelessly to get kids to “Eat Smart. Play Hard™.”

But the celebration of breakfast doesn’t stop there. McDonald’s is offering a coupon on its www.goodfitmeals.com website that will give Treasure Valley consumers purchasing the new Fruit and Maple Oatmeal offering, the choice of free low fat milk or a latte. The United Dairymen of Idaho is partnering with McDonald’s to provide the milk.

Eating a good breakfast is important for everyone, but especially to school children. CDHD hopes that the program being initiated at Owyhee Elementary will be successful so it can be used in other schools throughout the Treasure Valley and Idaho.