Literature review: nutritional factors influencing academic achievement in school age children.

Abstract

Adolescence is a transition period involving tremendous physical, psychological and cognitive growth. For appropriate growth of adolescents in these aspects, a correct quantity and quality of nourishment is required, as a lack of such nourishment among adolescents can lead to various degrees of malnutrition, which may have implications on their health as well as their academic achievements. This review examines the research topics around factors that influence the nutritional status of adolescent students which can affect their academic performance. Some of the vital factors include knowledge and attitude about nutrition, eating behaviour, physical activity, socio-economic status of the family, the surrounding environment at school and home, the frequency and timing of meals, nutritional contents and amount of food intake. Students who consume a balanced diet perform better in exams, show better behaviour as well as attendance at school and get their assigned tasks done more thoroughly compared with those who do not consume a balanced diet.