Child Nutrition Joins the Student Achievement Discussion

by Dairy Council of California | about the author 1. October 2010 08:30

Did you know that healthier students are better learners? Did you know that health problems limit student achievement? Did you know that disparities in health (health gaps) contribute to the achievement gap and plans for addressing this achievement gap do not typically include nutrition and health? October 11 through 15 is National School Lunch Week, a good time to learn more about the benefits of good nutrition.

By simply feeding children a balanced breakfast consisting of at least three out of the five food groups (example: bagel with peanut butter and a glass of low-fat milk or cereal, yogurt and a glass of juice) they are on their way to successful learning. They will have an increased readiness to learn (no hungry tummies and headaches) which equates to better academic achievement. They are less likely to be tardy or absent due to illness, they will likely have fewer visits to the school nurse and fewer behavior problems. Additionally, getting kids physically active will help in the achievement equation. Students who are physically fit have higher test scores as well.

Another quick quiz -- which schools have the highest API (academic performance) scores? It is those with students who had higher rates of eating breakfast. And another…how much does a single-day absence cost a school per day per student? That value ranges from $9-$20 per day. If the school breakfast or lunch provides an incentive to get to children to school, everyone benefits.

We all have a role to play in child nutrition:

Parents, organize the morning to either feed your child breakfast at home or get them to school in time to eat the school breakfast. Here are some good tips for providing a healthy breakfast.
Teachers, determine if your students are eating breakfast on a regular basis. If not, you can provide this tip sheet to your parents which offers suggestions for serving healthy breakfast.
School administrators, work with your school food service staff to offer the National School Breakfast Program at your school.

I always find it interesting that we place special attention on children’s nutrition right before standardized tests are administered when in reality, we should be paying special attention to their nutrition every day of the year. What about all the other days of the school year when they are actually preparing for and being taught the material leading up to these tests – isn’t having a healthy breakfast and lunch equally as important on these days?

Tammy Anderson-Wise, MS

Director, Program Services