THE type of breakfast your child eats really does matter, according to research carried out in North-East schools.

Scientists from Northumbria University gave different types of breakfast cereal to two groups of primary school children from all over the region.

The purpose of the study was to see whether the Glycaemic Index (GI) of breakfast cereals makes any difference to children's attention and memory.

GI is the rate at which glucose from the the food we eat enters the bloodstream and is delivered to the brain.

A high GI food is quickly converted into glucose, resulting in a rapid increase in blood sugar levels and delivery of glucose to the brain.

However, with high GI foods, the brain runs out of energy quickly.

On the other hand, a food with low GI delivers energy to the brain at a more steady rate which lasts for a longer time.

Researchers tested children aged between six and 11 in schools across the region.

Some were given Coco Pops cereal (high GI) and some were given All-Bran cereal (low GI).

The researchers found that while the attention and memory of all children declined during the morning, children who had eaten All-Bran for breakfast showed lower levels of decline.

Jeanet Ingwersen, who led the study, said: "The message for parents is that some breakfast is better than no breakfast, but if you can give your child a low GI breakfast, that is even better.

"Parents might think 'my child would never eat All-Bran', but alternative oat or bran-based cereals are just as good, as are whole fruits like apples or oranges."

The research team also plans to continue the breakfast study during school holidays.

Any parents interested in allowing their children to take part should contact Jeanet Ingwersen on 0191-227 7253.