Poor nutrition affects student achievement

It is something we all know intuitively, but now there is scientific evidence. A recently released report links poor nutrition among school age kids with low achievement. In these times of linking school funding to how well students perform academically, the report is worth a look.

“The Learning Connection: The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools” points out obstacles to learning that accompany poor nutrition:

• Where there are lots of students with bad eating habits and little exercise, test scores improved more slowly
• Skipping breakfast leads to poor concentration and poor test scores
• Eating poorly leads to absenteeism
• Regular exercise leads to better academics

Since eating habits and exercise affect attendance there is a direct hit to schools with more children in these categories. Given the national average absenteeism rate, an average size district could stand to lose $95,000 to $100,000 each year in state funding.

Many CSEA members work in school nutrition programs and cafeterias and could be instrumental in turning the results around.