You know the old saying about breakfast: It’s the most important meal of the day. Apparently, quite a few homes in America never got the memo. A new report finds that at least one in five children in this country each day go without breakfast.

While it’s long been known that many children, especially teenagers, leave home without first eating breakfast, health experts note the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting increase in food insecurity in many communities, is raising concerns.

With so many children counting on receiving breakfast at school, they suffered when the pandemic forced many districts to close schools. Although many found ways to get food to their students, the efforts have been uneven.

Even in the best of times, American children haven’t been united when it comes to starting their day with a nutritious meal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 82% of children eat breakfast. The numbers vary based on age, with nearly 96% of kids ages 2 to 5 having breakfast, compared with only 73% of those ages 12 to 19.

For children eating a good breakfast is associated with better memory and test scores, a healthier body weight, and improved overall nutrition.

Making sure all kids have access to a good meal is crucial during these times of food insecurity. Some suggestions include providing universal school breakfasts to reduce stigma for students who participate in free meal programs, and a greater focus on providing meals on weekends and during the summer months.

Starting kids off right each morning is a good way to help them succeed in school which, in turn, helps all of us. Now that’s something to chew on.