You wouldn't think of driving your car to work in the morning with an empty tank of gas, yet thousands of parents send their children off to school without any breakfast.
"After an overnight fast of eight to twelve hours, the brain needs fuel, "said Joan Carter, manager for the Children's Nutrition Research Center in Houston.
The body breaks down food to produce this fuel in the form of glucose（葡萄糖）. Because glucose levels are associated with memory function, children can have difficulty focusing when they skip breakfast. Research shows that breakfast eaters tend to pay more attention to their teacher in class than those who rarely eat breakfast.
They tend to be more creative and better performers in school. They show more energy by late morning, have more strength and endurance, concentrate better, and are better at problem-solving. Children who are hungry can be slow or nervous during classroom activities or can appear disinterested when they have a difficult task to perform.
Researchers have also discovered that students who eat breakfast regularly tend to have better health overall.
They take in more vitamins and minerals, consume less fat and cholesterol（胆固醇）, and may even have less chance of becoming overweight than breakfast-skippers. Without breakfast, it's difficult for children to get the nutrients they need throughout the day. Research shows that nutrients missed at breakfast aren't made up for at other meals.
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and there's no excuse for not eating breakfast," Dr. Carter said. A piece of bread and a glass of milk take little time to prepare. If you are trying to lose weight, skipping breakfast is also a big mistake. You will be tired and hungry by mid-morning. Then you'll want to eat a snack that isn't healthy.
Breakfast should provide at least 1/4 to 1/3 of a child's daily needs for vitamins, minerals and calories. A nutritious breakfast also provides the sugar, protein and fat they need because they are continuously growing and changing. Parents should set a good example for children. "You can't run out the door without eating breakfast, yet insist that your kids sit down and eat something," Dr. Carter said.
【小题1】What can be inferred from the passage?
| A．The brain cannot work properly at school without breakfast. |
| B．Breakfast-skippers are able to focus better because of hunger. |
| C．Hunger makes it difficult for the body to break down the food. |
| D．Breakfast eaters have a tendency to ignore their teachers in class. |
【小题2】What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?
| A．The importance of body shaping. |
| B．The relationship between breakfast and health. |
| C．The importance of getting enough nutrients for children. |
| D．The relationship between breakfast and school performance. |
【小题3】Why is it wrong for the dieters to skip breakfast？
| A．It leaves them short of energy to exercise all day. |
| B．It results in a lack of necessary nutrients they need. |
| C．It makes them have difficulty in performing well. |
| D．It contributes to more snack-consuming. |
【小题4】How should parents teach children to have breakfast？
| A．By eating breakfast regularly. |
| B．By preparing generous breakfast. |
| C．By running out without breakfast. |
| D．By giving them extra money for breakfast. |
e and obesity