Assessment of nutritional status and its effect on academic performance in school children of Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is the tender and vital period in the life of a person. It is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to legal adulthood. Nutrition is the prime requirement of the adolescents for their physical and mental growth. The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of the primary school going children in Jazan, KSA and to analyze the association of nutrition status with academic performance of school going children in Jazan, KSA. Methods: This study involved 4 schools chosen randomly from the government schools of Jazan. 7th and 8th class children were considered for the study. Required ethical approval bearing reference number 28943 dated 20/6/1440 was taken from the Institutional ethical committee. Study sample: 200 collection of the data: data collected from the schools of Jazan selected randomly in the school working hours.Results: 60% of the sample is in the age group 17-18 years. 30% of the sample were having more than 5 siblings. 16% of the parents were illiterates. The proportion of students taking milk products more than 3 times in the week (79.1%) were found to be performing well in the schools than the students consuming less than 3 days week. Strong association was found between performance of the students and parent’s education as the educated parents’ children were performing well.Conclusions: Good nutrition for the growing kids was found to be associated with academic performance of the students.