You may not equate poor nutrition as a problem among American school-age children. While a large percentage of children in developing countries do have incidences of learning and developmental problems, children all over the world need adequate nutrition to support their growth and performance at school. Parents and schools play a role in this issue and making sure children have access to healthy meals at regular intervals improves the chances of success in the classroom.
Nutrients
While all nutrients are vital for good health, some are especially important for a child's development and learning. Iron is needed for healthy brain growth and a deficiency can result in delayed development, reports the University of Mississippi. Iodine is a nutrient that many people don't think about, but not getting enough during the school years can reduce cognition among children, which hinders classroom comprehension and performance. Protein is needed for a child to grow at a healthy rate, and vitamins A and C support immunity, keeping a child well enough to get to school each day, which optimizes learning opportunities. Calcium is important to healthy bone growth and omega-3 fatty acids help a child's brain develop. A well-balanced diet ensures that children are getting adequate amounts of the nutrients they need to learn and develop.
Breakfast
In the rush of a busy morning, many parents may rely on fast food or unhealthy frozen meals as breakfast for their children and many don't even eat a morning meal. However, a nutritious breakfast is the best way for a child to start the day off right. In a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, children who didn't eat breakfast showed a decline in memory and attention. Children who ate a breakfast rich in complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain cereal with milk, were able to focus throughout the morning classes. A parent's role in cognition and development is to optimize conditions at home that allow for growth and learning at school.
School Lunch
Overall undernourishment is detrimental to a child's growth and ability to learn at school. Not only does a proper lunch help children reach their nutritional intake recommendations for the day, but it also offers the same benefits that breakfast does for the afternoon classes. Children who participate in the school lunch program or who bring a healthy lunch from home show better comprehension, less fatigue and increased memory of what was learned throughout the afternoon hours. On the other hand, skipping lunch has the opposite effect and contributes to a decrease in learning and can affect healthy development.
Starting Out Right
The first three years of life are the most important for development, both mental and physical, reports the United Nations System Standing Committee on Nutrition. Providing optimal nutrition leading up to the school years and continuing to do so throughout them equips a child's brain for learning things in each grade and for developing in a healthy way to support this learning.
References
- University of Mississippi: Nutrition and Cognitive Development; 2001
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Role of Nutrition in Learning and Behavior: A Resource List for Professionals; March 2008
- United Nations System Standing Committee on Nutrition: Nutrition and Education; Matthew Jukes, et.al.; January 2002
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