WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY.... THE POWERFUL ROLE NUTRITION PLAYS IN
STUDENT PERFORMANCE, HEALTH AND WELLBEING Comment by STEPHANIE SPRATT, co-founder and CEO of Olive Dining
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study by the Journal of Educational and Social Research in 2024 found that it is impossible to overestimate the significance of proper nutrition in a child’s growth and development.
Not only does the food children eat affect the body’s ability to perform its vital functions, but dietary habits in children and young people have far-reaching effects on their health and wellbeing later in life.
During childhood, we experience
extensive physical and cognitive growth, and the right balance of nutrients is needed to support this. Children who don’t consume a balanced diet may experience nutrient deficiencies, which can have serious consequences for their physical and cognitive development.
Childhood is also a crucial time for learning, and students need fuel to perform at their best. Official nutritional requirement standards for school children ensure that school lunches include one or more portions of fruit and vegetables every day, one or more portions of starchy food such as bread or pasta, a portion of food containing dairy every day, and a portion of meat or poultry on three or more days each week.
Given that children spend five days a week at school, it’s vital that education catering providers meet these requirements for the sake of the health, wellbeing and academic performance of the young people they provide for.
Boosting brain power
Research by the Journal of Educational and Social Research indicates that there is a direct link between diet and academic success amongst school aged children, and that proper nutritional support is necessary to allow the brain to function at its best and increase its capacity to learn. Studies found that children who have a healthy breakfast tend to perform better in tests as the nutritional benefits help them better pay attention, retrieve information more quickly and accurately, maintain focus for longer periods, and solve problems with less trial and error. The British Nutrition Foundation notes that children who are hungry at school will struggle to learn and concentrate, so it’s essential that we provide filling, nutritious options to help them perform at their best. B vitamins, found in many fruits and leafy green vegetables, play an important role in brain development, while foods such as oats, wholegrains and eggs help improve concentration, focus and memory. Oily fish is another important ingredient for children as it helps to promote healthy brain function, while seeds such as pumpkin seeds help enhance memory. Setting young people up for success should be a priority for caterers, and creating menus with brain-boosting ingredients is a great way to help students reach their best in their education. Aiding growth and development
Young people need a varied, balanced diet to make sure they get the nutrients and energy their bodies need to grow and function properly and to perform well in their studies. Throughout childhood and teenage years, energy demands are high thanks to this growth, and there are key nutrients that should be included in school meals for this reason. The British Nutrition Foundation notes that children need sufficient calcium to support their bones, Vitamin A for healthy immunity, and enough carbohydrates to support their energy levels. Starchy carbohydrates are considered the best source of energy for a growing child, including foods such as potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and oats.
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Protein is also crucial for students’ development in supporting growth, maintenance and repair, and can be added to school meals through foods such as pulses, lentils, fish, meat, dairy and eggs.
According to the government school food standards practical guide, research shows that some children in the UK are not getting enough iron, zinc and calcium in their diets to support their rapid growth. Milk, cheese, wholegrains and dark green leafy vegetables can all be incorporated into school lunch menus to help with this and to support students to reach their potential.
Aiding mental health
There is more and more evidence to suggest that nutrition is not only linked to physical health, but mental health too. Nutritional deficiencies during childhood can be associated with emotional and psychological development issues, and the British Nutrition Foundation notes that children who consume more calories than they need are at risk of experiencing poor mental health.
A study carried out by leading mental health charity, Mind, found that 96 per cent of young people surveyed reported that their mental health had affected their schoolwork, while research by the NHS has found that young people in the UK have higher mental health need than ever. Diet can significantly impact mental wellbeing, according to brain development research centre MacBrain, and consuming foods rich in wholegrains, lean proteins and healthy fats supports stable blood sugar levels, which can help reduce anxiety fluctuations. A balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables can also promote overall mental wellbeing, help stabilise mood and promote emotional resilience. Providing students with nourishing foods at mealtimes will help them to stay motivated and upbeat throughout the school day and beyond – something which is important for both their overall wellbeing and educational performance. Final thoughts
Nutrition, wellbeing and student performance are closely linked, and it’s up to school caterers to make sure the meals on offer are supporting the health of children.
Nutritious foods that provide sufficient protein, carbohydrates and vitamins can improve brain power and concentration, aid physical growth and development, and support mental health, so school caterers should be making these nutrients a key part of school meals. Raising happy, healthy and well-educated young people should be a national priority, and adequate nutrition is a great place to start.
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