An important study for all parents, not surprisingly, from the University of Alberta in Canada finds that diet has a direct bearing on school performance.

For the study researchers surveyed 5200 fifth grade students in Nova Scotia, Canada and their parents. Information on diet, height, weight and socio-demographic variables were linked to results on standardized literacy tests. The study is published in the Journal of School Health.

The study found that kids who ate more fruit and vegetable and had less caloric intake from fat were less about 40% likely to fail the literacy assessment.

“These findings demonstrate an association between diet quality and academic performance and identify specific dietary factors that contribute to this association. Additionally, this research supports the broader implementation and investment in effective school nutrition programs that have the potential to improve student access to healthy food choices, diet quality, academic performance, and, over the long term, health.”, concluded the authors

Source
Journal of School Health