The Link between Nutrition, Learning & Academic Achievement

2 Nutrition & Learning Susan Magrann Susan Magrann Nutrition Education Coordinator Nutrition Education Coordinator Los Angeles and Orange Counties Los Angeles and Orange Counties Dept of Health Services—Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section Dept of Health Services—Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section (714) (714)

3 Recommended Diet for Americans Percent 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 with The Typical American Diet Source: California Department of Health Services, 1990

5 Actual Causes of Death in the U.S.,1990 Source: McGinnis JM, Foege WH. JAMA 1993;270: , , ,000 90,000 30,000 20, , , , , ,000 TobaccoDiet/ActivityAlcoholMicrobial agents Sexual behavior Illicit use of drugs

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 Children’s Eating Habit What % of elementary students… 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 Met Dietary Recommendations for Calcium Intake, 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 Beverages Available in the U.S. Food Supply (Gallons/Person/Year) Milk Juice Reg. Soft Drinks Diet Soft Drinks Source: US Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service Statistical Bulletin No. 939, 1997

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21 % of U.S. Adolescents, Ages 12-17, Who Were Overweight* * >95th percentile for BMI by age and sex based on NHANES I reference data Source: Troiano RP, Flegal KM. Pediatrics 1998;101: Percent Males Females

22 % of U.S. Children, Ages 6-11, Who Were Overweight* Percent * >95th percentile for BMI by age and sex based on NHANES I reference data Source: Troiano RP, Flegal KM. Pediatrics 1998;101: Males Females

23 Prevalence of Obesity by Hours of TV per Day: NHES Youth Aged in ; NLSY Youth Aged in TV Hours Per Day (Youth Report) Prevalence (%) NHES NLSY Source: Dietz WH, Gortmaker SL. Pediatrics 1985;75; Gortmaker SL et al. Arch Pediatric Adolesc Med 1996;150:356-62

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

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

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

27 Minnesota Breakfast Study Students: 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 Universal Free Breakfast at 3 schools Participation: increased--15% to 27% Participation: increased--15% to 27% For students who ate breakfast: For students who ate breakfast: –math grades averaged a whole grade higher –tardy less often –psychological scores improved

29 Comparison of Energy Available for Learning from Two Different Breakfasts 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. Energy released from protein Energy released from fat 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. Meal eaten and energy released from sugar, and starch

30 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. Cafeteria Classroom Home Child

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