Does what children eat affect how they do in school?

Question

I heard some information before in support of the idea that children who eat poorly suffer more in school. Anyone know any evidence to support this?

Answer 1

Definitely. Healthy food boosts your academic skills. Check out the following website for more info. http://neahin.org/programs/physical/schoolchildren.htm

Answer 2

I don't have factual evidence, but practical experience as a high school classroom teacher.

Students who have proper nutrition learn better, faster, and retain more knowledge than students who don't eat properly or eat non-nutritious foods.

Please encourage your child to eat a good breakfast and lunch during the school day. Many schools in the USA offer a lunch program that provides lunch for those who can't afford it. If your child doesn't qualify for that program or you don't live in a place with a similar program, then give your child a nutritious breakfast before they go to school in the morning and make sure they have a proper lunch during the school day.

A good breakfast doesn't have to be large, but should supply enough nutrition and energy that a growing child needs. Breakfast can include cereal (oatmeal, dry cereals, museuli) with milk and a piece of fruit; yougart and fruit with juice or milk; toast or fruit with peanut butter and juice or milk; or eggs and toast with milk or juice. Just make sure that the meal provides some of daily required amounts of protein and carbohydrates young growing bodies need. This kind of breakfast will stop the mid-morning low blood sugar attack that brings on sleepiness and distracted behaviors.

Lunch with veggies, bread, protein of some sort, whether legumes or meat, and milk or water will help stop the same symptoms that occur in the mid-afternoon period. Snacks are fine, but the more nutritious they are, the better off the child will be. Burgers, pizza and fries are ok every now and then, but children need lots of nutrients that come from non-fast food options, too.

Please make sure your child has access to clean, safe drinking water, as well. Drinking water helps all of the body's systems operate better, including the brain!

Answer 3

well I think if they eat poorly like not having a proper breakfast in the morning doesnt help. I think if the child doesn't like eating in the morning, which sometimes occurs, try them with a muffin or sumthing small or like an apple or cereal bar they're great. The brain needs food for energy, so does proper sleep! Make sure your child gets a good night sleep and breakfast in the morning and they should be fine at school, Sometimes it might be a problem if the kid is hungry and it distracts his or her from their school work.

Answer 4

Yep. I saw a special on t.v. maybe a month ago. They said that a school for the rotten kids...I forget what they called it, started feeding their kids fresh healthy meals (instead of the crap they feed the rest of the kids on the school lunch program) and they had an almost immediate improvement. Not only in their academics but their behavior. So why wait till they have to go to the rotten kid school? The food they serve in schools is deplorable. And they ask why our children are suffering from obesity and why china has the smart kids. My husband works with meat factories and such, fixing machines. He almost always comes home grossed out. These companies want better products to come out of the machines. My husband says he wants to tell them "you put crap in the machine; you still have crap when it comes out, just a lil' prettier looking.

Answer 5

Absolutely. Children who eat a good healthy breakfast are more attentive and do better in school. Junk food and loads of suger are not good. They give energy in the short term but then cause a crash later that can adversly affect school work and attentiveness.

Answer 6

of course it does. How is a child brain suppose to run sufficiently if they are not eating right. You have to take care of your brain, and body by eating healthy. Healthy food is fuel for the brain. Eat brain foods like blueberries and blackberries and other healthy food you should take the time to look up some really healthy "brain foods". It really does affect you. Haven't you heard the phrase, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day".

Answer 7

Oh yes! Yes!

Many years ago some high school students volunteered for a study involving IQ tests. Reasonably bright kids with decent grades took an IQ test after a week of early to bed-early to rise and well balanced meals, including breakfast.

They then abused themselves for another week. Abuse in the form of keeping screwy hours and eating junk food, sugary food and skipping breakfast or eating junk for breakfast.

They then took another IQ test after the week of abuse. Their scores were WAY lower than their prior scores.

That was proof positive that taking care of yourself by eating healthy food and getting good night's sleep does improve your school performance.

In the case of little kids, the RESPONSIBILITY is with the parents to see to it their kids eat right and get lots of good sleep.

Answer 8

Yes, because I've seen the same thing in adults. Try it. Wake up in the morning, skip breakfast, have a relatively nutrition free lunch and tell us how you're feeling around 4pm. You'll find that you not only have difficulty with your short term memory and that it will be really difficult to concentrate for any duration of time.

If you have kids, feed them well.

Answer 9

Certain foods are good for your brain and actually can improve how well your brain functions. I think certain types of fats are good for your brain like the ones found in peanuts or almonds. You don't necessarily need them to do well though, just do the work, study, and ask questions. You can also do research on the internet for more information too.

Answer 10

yes the children who eat poorly suffer more cos u need food to make your brains work
also scintific research has shown that doing maths after eating makes you learn faster