The Link between Nutrition, Learning & Academic Achievement

1. The Link between Nutrition, Learning & Academic Achievement

2. Nutrition & Learning • Susan Magrann • Nutrition Education Coordinator • Los Angeles and Orange Counties • Dept of Health Services—Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section • (714) 327-1066 • susan_magrann@ocde.k12.ca.us

3. Recommended Diet for AmericansPercent of Calories from Different Nutrients Sources: Dietary Goals for the United States, 1977; prepared by the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs. NHANES III, Phase I. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, February 25, 1994.

4. Examples of Health Problems Associated withThe Typical American Diet Source: California Department of Health Services, 1990

5. 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 90,000 100,000 30,000 20,000 0 Tobacco Diet/Activity Alcohol Microbial Sexual Illicit use of agents behavior drugs Actual Causes of Death in the U.S.,1990 400,000 300,000 Source: McGinnis JM, Foege WH. JAMA 1993;270:2207-12.

6. FoodGuidePyramid Fats, Oils & Sweets Use Sparingly Milk, Yogurt, & Cheese Group 3-5 Servings Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs & Nuts Group 3-5 Servings Fruit Group 2-4 Servings Vegetable Group 3-5 Servings Bread, Cereal, Rice, & Pasta Group 6-11 Servings

7. 3.5 Servings 1.3 Ser 2.2 Servings 1 Serving 2 Servings 5.1 Servings The Average American’s Top Heavy Pyramid

8. Nutrition Intake • Barriers to healthy eating • Chronic hunger vs. transient hunger

9. Poor Eating Habits • Fatigue/lethargic/irritable • Susceptible to infection • Stomach pain/headaches • Anxiety/anger/indecisiveness • Sleepiness • Poor school performance

10. Children’s Eating Habits • What % of children under age 12 are hungry or at risk for hunger? • What % of children are likely to skip breakfast?

11. Children’s Eating Habits • What is the most prevalent nutrition deficiency disease? • What % of poor children have this disease?

12. Children’s Eating Habit • What % of elementary students… • eat 5 servings of fruits & vegetables/day? • eat no fruit in a day? • eat no vegetable in a day?

13. % Who MetDietary Recommendations for Calcium Intake, 1988-94 Source: CDC, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III

14. % of Adolescents, Ages 12-19, Who Consumed Milk & Carbonated Soft Drinks On Any Given Day, 1994 Source: Borrud L, et al. CNI Newsletter, April 18, 1997 (analysis of USDA CSFII data).

15. 45 40 35 Milk 30 25 Reg. Soft Drinks 20 15 10 Juice 5 Diet Soft Drinks 0 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 Beverages Available in the U.S. Food Supply (Gallons/Person/Year) Source: US Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service Statistical Bulletin No. 939, 1997

21. Percent 11.4 12 10 9.9 8 6 4 2 0 1963-70 1971-74 1976-80 1988-94 % of U.S. Adolescents, Ages 12-17, Who Were Overweight* Females 4.5 Males 4.6 * >95th percentile for BMI by age and sex based on NHANES I reference data Source: Troiano RP, Flegal KM. Pediatrics 1998;101:497-504

22. Percent 11.4 12 9.9 10 8 6 4 2 0 1963-70 1971-74 1976-80 1988-94 % of U.S. Children, Ages 6-11, Who Were Overweight* Males 4.3 Females 3.9 * >95th percentile for BMI by age and sex based on NHANES I reference data Source: Troiano RP, Flegal KM. Pediatrics 1998;101:497-504

23. NHES 1967-70 NLSY 1990 40 35 30 25 Prevalence (%) 20 15 10 5 0 0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5+ TV Hours Per Day (Youth Report) Prevalence of Obesity by Hours of TV per Day: NHES Youth Aged 12-17 in 1967-70 ; NLSY Youth Aged 10-15 in 1990 Source: Dietz WH, Gortmaker SL. Pediatrics 1985;75;807-12. Gortmaker SL et al. Arch Pediatric Adolesc Med 1996;150:356-62

24. Ways Students Lose Weight • 32% skip meals • 22% fast • 7% use diet pills • 5% induce vomiting • 3 % use laxatives

25. Eating Disorders • Dissatisfaction with weight • Eating Disorders • anorexia nervosa • bulimia • Disorder eating vs. eating disorder

26. Tuft University (1989) • Children who ate breakfast: • perform better on standardized test • are absent from school less

27. Minnesota Breakfast Study • Students: • were better prepared to learn • had decreased behavioral problems • had increased physical health • had reduced visits to the school nurse

28. Harvard Medical School • Universal Free Breakfast at 3 schools • Participation: increased--15% to 27% • For students who ate breakfast: • math grades averaged a whole grade higher • tardy less often • psychological scores improved

29. Meal eaten and energy released from sugar, and starch Energy released from protein Energy released from fat Meal eaten and energy released from sugar Sugary foods eaten in place of a meal cause a quick rise in blood sugar and energy. About an hour later blood sugar and energy decline rapidly, bringing on symptoms of hunger. A balanced breakfast containing sugar, starch, protein and fat gives a sustained release of energy and prevents a drop in blood sugar for several hours. Comparison of Energy Available for Learning from Two Different Breakfasts

30. Classroom Cafeteria Child Home • A comprehensive approach best supports the child. • It takes the combined effort of parents, teachers, and school administrators to support children’s physical and mental well being.

31. Remember The Man Who Believes He Can Do Something Is Probably Right, and So is the Man Who Believes He Can’t