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Students pay academically for poor nutrition and inactivity
STILLWATER, Okla. – Research indicates how the excessive rise in poor nutrition, coupled with inactivity and weight problems, is adversely affecting academic achievement.
The research report, The Learning Connection: The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools, was released by the national non-profit Action for Healthy Kids, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service nutrition education specialist.
“The report summarized a growing body of evidence demonstrating that poor nutrition, inactivity and weigh problems can have a negative effect on student learning,” Hermann said. “While the report cautions that more research is needed to understand the link between poor nutrition, physical inactivity an academic achievement, it makes a strong case that there are a number of factors that have an adverse effect on academic performance.”
The report indicates:
- Schools with high percentages of students who did not routinely engage in physical activity or eat well had smaller gains in test scores than did other schools.
- Well-nourished students who skip breakfast perform worse on tests and have poor concentration.
- Children not getting adequate nutrients have lower test scores, increase absenteeism, difficulty concentrating and lower energy levels.
- Physical activity programs are linked to stronger academic achievement, increased concentration and improved math, reading and writing test scores.
- Students participating in daily physical education exhibit better attendance, a more positive attitude toward school and superior academic performance.
“Schools have the unique opportunity to teach and model healthful eating and physical activity. Improving children’s health likely improves school performance,” Hermann said. “Schools have a vested interest in improving the nutrition and increasing the physical activity of their students.”
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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and
Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
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Trisha Gedon
Communications
Specialist
Agricultural
Communications Services
136 Agriculture
North
Oklahoma State
University
Stillwater, OK 74078
405-744-3625
(phone)
405-744-5739
(fax)
trisha.gedon@okstate.edu
