Eating Your Way to Better Grades: The Impact of Nutrition on Academic Achievement

We often see that in the American education space, the significance of proper nutrition often takes a backseat to other pressing issues, such as academic instruction and maintaining test scores. However, over recent years, we’ve seen lots of research that emphasizes the key connection between nutrition, academic performance, and the holistic health of students.

The importance of proper nutrition reaches beyond school and academic performance. A well-balanced diet is fundamental to the physical health and development of students. Despite the mounting evidence supporting the pivotal role of nutrition in education, there are still disparities in access to healthy foods among students across the United States. Explore these critical factors and their impact on students' achievements in schools throughout the United States.

Key Points:

1. Diets and Academic Performance

Research from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) tells us that students who eat a healthy breakfast and include fruits and vegetables in their diets tend to have better grades.

For example, 42% of students who earned mostly A grades ate breakfast daily, compared to only 20% of those who earned D/F grades. Similarly, 62% of students who earned A grades ate fruit daily while only 54% of D/F students did the same. When it came to the inclusion of vegetables in students’ diets, 66% of A-grade students ate them daily and 52% of D/F students ate them daily. These findings highlight a clear link between academic success and healthy eating habits.

When students experience food insecurity they tend to earn poorer grades, score lower on tests, and have higher rates of absences compared to their food-secure peers. Diets rich in whole fruits, grains, and vegetables have been linked to better cognitive function and improved academic performance in young children.

2. Nutrition and Cognitive Function

Studies highlight the direct influence of nutrition on cognitive abilities among school-aged children.

Essentially, what students eat also affects their thinking skills. Unbalanced diets in the first few years of children's lives has been shown to impair learning abilities and school readiness.  For example, iron deficiency, even in its initial stages, can affect cognition in children. On the other hand, balanced diets rich in essential nutrients have been shown to improve perception, intuition, and reasoning skills, helping contribute to positive academic achievement.

3. Food and Behavior

There is a clear link between nutrition and behavior in school.

Research suggests that students who don't eat enough nutritious meals will have poor attendance, behavior, and graduation rates compared to their food-secure peers. For instance, excessive sugar intake may lead to behavioral disruptions in the classroom. On the flip side advocating for and providing students with a balanced diet can improve attendance and help with behavioral issues creating a better learning environment, ultimately contributing to higher graduation rates. Academic success and high school completion significantly influence long-term health outcomes for students. Educating students on healthy eating habits has been shown to lessen chronic health conditions and increase life expectancy. The food provided and the dietary choices made by children in school not only impact their behavior during their academic years but also are the foundation for their future well-being.

By recognizing the importance of nutrition in students' academic success and overall health, we can take targeted actions to support their development. Prioritizing nutritious meals in schools and collaborating with health agencies are essential steps toward helping students thrive both academically and personally. Ultimately, it's about more than just grades—it's about nurturing the well-being of all students.

Sources: CDC, Central Michigan University, Extension Foundation