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Proper diet equals good school performance

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By Imelda A. Agdeppa, Ph.D.
FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service

Proper nutrition is maintaining normal growth, attaining normal body weight and sustaining normal body nutrient levels. Undernutrition and over nutrition are both detrimental to an individual’s health. When a person’s diet is below the recommended energy and nutrient intakes, this depletes the body’s store of nutrients, and if chronic, leads to protein-energy malnutrition in children that causes wasting. On the other hand, exceeding the normal recommended levels of nutrients leads to an accumulation of body fat and damage to and malfunctioning of organ systems. Balanced nutrition is therefore essential to living a healthy life and preventing diseases.

Recent studies of the Harvard School of Medicine in 2008 showed that the human brain keeps on developing until about 25 to 30 years old. Where school-age is a time for many fundamental phases of mental development, research shows that brain development during adolescence is much more complicated and essential in understanding decision-making capabilities and intellectual capacities in the future. Nutrition can play a very important role in brain development, during these crucial periods of development.

Several determinants affect school enrolment, attendance, and achievement. These determinants are classified by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) into endogenous and exogenous factors. Endogenous factors include the child’s attitude and aptitude, educational attainment of parents, family income, and health. Exogenous factors include quality of schooling, training of teachers, and availability of books and educational materials. Endogenous and exogenous factors are not stand-alone but determinants that should both be satisfactory to induce optimum brain development.

Nutrition is an endogenous factor in school achievement. Specific micronutrients like vitamin A, iron, and iodine play a role in mental development and an adequate diet provides necessary energy to accomplish daily tasks. The 7th National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2008 showed a moderate prevalence of deficiencies in iron (14%), vitamin A (4.6%), zinc (20.6%) and iodine (11.8%) among Filipino adolescents. These nutrients are essential among adolescents who go to school since they help in normal growth, immune function, and mental development.

Consumption of a variety of foods daily helps attain normal levels of nutrients in the body. Good eating habits should start early in households.

A study in 2009 among 12-15 year old adolescents in Palestine showed that vegetable and fruit consumption is significantly related to school performance. Similarly, a study in the Philippines among school-aged children, where fortified ready-to-drink juice was supplemented for 120 days showed significant improvement in children’s knowledge scores after the intervention.

An individual who eats nutritious foods in adequate amounts has enough energy to participate in daily school activities. Daily recommended intakes for children 4 to 6 years old, according to the 2000 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos, includes 3-4 ½ cups rice and alternatives, 1 1/3 matchbox-size meat or 1 piece large fish or 2 pieces small fish, ½ piece egg, 1 glass milk, 1/3 cup green leafy or yellow vegetable, ¼ cup other vegetables, 2 pieces vitamin C-rich fruits and other fruits, 6 teaspoons oil including oil used for cooking, 5 teaspoons sugar, and 5-7 glasses of water. Different age groups require different amounts of food from each food group.

Attainment of nutrient requirements promotes normal growth and mental development. A normal well-nourished child is ready to actively participate in society and contribute profound ideas in any given situation. Proper nutrition can further lead to a sound mind and body and could increase the productivity of the country.


For more information on food and nutrition, contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City. Email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph. Telefax: 837-2934 and 827-3164, or call 837-2071 local 2296 or visit our website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph . 
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