WASHINGTON (CNN)-- Twice as many low-income students and schools, on average, are taking advantage of the government's breakfast program compared to 10 years ago, a public interest group said Tuesday.

The Food Research and Action Council (FRAC) , reported the number of low-income students participating in the School Breakfast Program has increased 94 percent from 3.1 million in 1988 to 6.1 million in 1998.

The group also found schools involved in the program increased almost 95 percent from 1988 to 1998.

States were ranked by participation in the program. West Virginia was at the top with 98.8 percent participation.

FRAC also pointed out that more schools are beginning to offer both breakfast and lunch.

It stressed the importance of breakfast in a child's emotional, physical and scholastic development, citing studies done in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Israel. Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast perform better in school, are more attentive and have fewer behavioral problems.

The School Breakfast Program was established by Congress in 1966 to provide morning meals to students. The federal government reimburses schools for all or most of the meal.

All public and nonprofit schools and all residential child care institutions can participate in the program. All students that attend any of these schools my also participate. Depending on the child's family income, they may receive school breakfast at either no cost, reduced-price or full price.

The Food Research and Action Council is a national organization that works on nutrition and hunger issues, listing one of its goals as "making the School Breakfast Program available to all low-income children across the country." It is funded by various sources including Kraft Foods, General Mills, The Gerber Foundation, and The Public Welfare Fund.