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October 10, 2014Diet Quality and Academic Performance
Florence, M. D., Asbridge, M., & Vuegelers, P. J. (2008). Diet Quality and Academic Performance. Journal of School Health, 78(4), 209-215.
There is little research conducted on the effects of diet quality and academic performance of children. However, in 2003, Dr. Florence examined the connection between overall diet quality and academic performance. The research assessed 5200 students in the fifth grade in Nova Scotia and Canada. The parents were surveyed as part of the Children’s Lifestyle and School-performance Study, and information was collected regarding dietary intake, height, and weight and socioeconomic status.
The results from this study revealed that there were several indicators of diet quality that had an impact on academic performance. Students with decreased overall diet quality were considerably more likely to perform badly on the language assessments. In addition, girls performed higher than boys as well as children from socioeconomically advantaged families. Students enrolled in better schools and living in prosperous neighborhoods also performed better.
Overall, these findings demonstrate a connection between diet quality and academic performance and distinguish specific dietary factors that contribute to this association. Additionally, this research supports the broader application and investment in effective school nutrition programs that have the abilities to improve student access to healthy food options, diet quality, and health. In turn this increases academic performance and learning.