Nutrition and Students’ Academic Performance

Stuber, N. (2014, January 1). Nutrition and Students’ Academic Performance .Wilder Research.

Currently there are rising obesity rates and elevated food insecurity throughout our nation. This has caused an increase in awareness that nutrition is critical to healthy development in students. Despite the growing recognition, there is still a need to improve school food programs and to educate students and families on the importance of healthy eating. Stuber discusses research that has demonstrated diets high in trans and saturated fats can negatively impact learning and memory.

Poor nutrition leaves a student susceptible to illness, which results in an increase in school absences. In addition, research has also established a link between nutrition and behavior. Breakfast can enhance a students’ psychological well-being, reduce aggression and school suspensions, and decrease discipline problems. Stuber explains that school breakfast programs prove to have better attendance, improved behavior, improved concentration across academic courses, and better academic performance. Although there have been numerous increases in nutritional improvement programs across the nation, there is still a significant amount of work to be done. In order for our students to have the abilities to prosper academically, they must have their nutritional needs met.

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