New Survey Reveals Hispanic Moms are Breakfast Believers - But Face Barriers at the Table

USA - English

• Latin America - español

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Oct. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kellogg's Breakfast in America Survey of 14,000 Americans of varying ethnicities, income levels, geographic regions and ages revealed that the vast majority of Americans feel breakfast is important. Yet, the reality of hectic mornings makes it difficult to fit the meal in every day. Today, the company released highlights of how Hispanic moms responded to questions about daily breakfast habits.

The survey found that while 9 in 10 Hispanic moms want their kids to eat breakfast every day, 40 percent report that their child doesn't eat breakfast daily. According to nutrition experts, missing this important meal is not ideal, as eating breakfast in the morning helps children focus in the classroom and provides strength to engage in physical activity.

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day," said Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, registered dietician of the American Dietetic Association and a licensed dietician nutritionist. "After a night of sleep, our bodies need the nutrients from food to re-fuel our brains and bodies for the day. Without a healthy breakfast, it is very likely we will not function at our best. Even if moms are short on time, there are quick-and-flexible options children can have at home to put breakfast back on your daily menu."

The Power of Breakfast

The good news is the dynamic duo of cereal and milk offers a quick and tasty breakfast and is a leading source of 10 nutrients important to growing bodies, including calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B6 and vitamin D.(i)  Further, regular cereal eaters, including children, are less likely to be overweight and tend to have more positive nutrient intake profiles than those who eat cereal less frequently.(ii)  A convenient, affordable breakfast option, cereal helps families start the day with energy and valuable nutrients they might otherwise miss. 

"Kellogg understands – we're parents, too – and we are committed to providing families a variety of cereals that help make mornings simple while offering nutrition, taste and value," said Doug VanDeVelde, senior vice president, morning foods marketing and innovation. "At Kellogg's, we know great breakfasts lead to great days, and we are passionate about sharing that message and helping people start each morning off right."

Other key findings of how Hispanic moms responded in Kellogg's Breakfast in America survey include:

• Nearly two- in-five Hispanic moms believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and ensure that their child has breakfast on a daily basis.
• Hispanic moms are 20 percent more likely than moms overall to get up early to prepare their children's breakfast.
• Hispanic moms are 17 percent more likely than moms overall to say their family brings breakfast to work or school. Cereal is a great snack to keep the body nourished throughout the day.

Kellogg, which sponsored the survey, has convened the Kellogg Breakfast Council – seven third-party nutrition experts dedicated to helping people understand nutrition information and incorporate nutritious foods and habits into the diet. Melendez-Klinger is a member along with six others members in the fields of community, child and school nutrition; food security; weight management; public health; family and consumer science; and boomer health.  

To learn more about the health benefits of breakfast and cereal, visit www.AmaTuCereal.com.

About Kellogg Company

For more than 100 years, consumers have counted on Kellogg for great-tasting, high-quality and nutritious foods. Kellogg Company, with 2010 sales of more than $12 billion, is the world's leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruit-flavored snacks, frozen waffles and veggie foods. Kellogg Company's beloved brands, which are manufactured in 18 countries and marketed in more than 180 countries, include Kellogg's®, Keebler®, Pop-Tarts®, Eggo®, Cheez-It®, All-Bran®, Mini-Wheats®, Nutri-Grain®, Rice Krispies®, Special K®, Chips Deluxe®, Famous Amos®, Sandies®, Austin®, Club®, Murray®, Kashi®, Bear Naked®, Morningstar Farms®, Gardenburger® and Stretch Island®. For more information on the Kellogg Company, including our corporate responsibility initiatives, visit www.kelloggcompany.com.

(i) NHANES, 2003-2006.

(ii) Journal of the American Dietetic Assoc., 2003, 2009.

SOURCE Kellogg Company