The Relationship between Nutrition and Performance at School

IConventional wisdom says that nutrient deficiency is somehow connected to poor academic performance. But why is this so? Quite simply, the human brain needs a large number of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and amino acids to produce neurotransmitters and other important brain compounds. A lack of nutrients can result in chemical abnormalities and missed connections.

Brain science is demonstrating that it doesn’t take much of a nutrition deficit to have a major effect. Brain chemistry can change as a result of a lack of a single nutrient, giving rise not only to diminished mental acuity, but also to mental/emotional disturbances and behavioral disorders such as hyperactivity, Attention Deficit Disorder, anxiety, depression, eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia), drug and alcohol addiction, autism and violence.

If lack of nutrients can have these results, then can the plastic brain repair itself as a result of improved nutrition. The answer appears to be a resounding “yes.” As a result of changes in school diet in the early 1980s in New York City schools, the average performance of New York schools rose from the 41st percentile to the 51st percentile – a large gain that statistically could have no other explanation.

A more recent study from England of children with attention deficit disorder demonstrated the salutary effects of imposing a regular, nutritious diet. For a period of three to four weeks, the children were on a very restricted diet, generally consisting of: turkey, lamb, rice, potato, banana, pear, various vegetables, bottled water, sunflower oil and milk-free margarine.

The results were fairly astonishing. 76% of parents reported a worthwhile improvement in behavior. The rest reported no change. Equally interesting, for the children who improved, the subsequent introduction of food additives into the diet resulted in a deterioration in behavior for 70% of the participants.

All this goes to show that it’s not only true that you are what you eat, but that kids’ performance in school is likely to follow the type of food they eat. If they eat well, they’ll do well. If they eat junk food, they’re likely to get junk grades.

Parents who are concerned about the food that their children eat and who are looking for professional assistance may want to consider a residential program where kids are taught new habits, and trained to make much smarter decisions about food and nutrition.