Are your child's nutritional requirements being met?

♥THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION AND ACTIVE LIVING♥

The impact of nutrition and activity level on academic performance along with childhood obesity and its related health hazards continue to be prominent topics in today's headlines. Both should be prominent topics for all school jurisdictions.

Why do schools need to think about nutrition?

In Alberta, an online survey of grade six to nine students found that girls did not meet the minimum number of servings for three of the four food groups. Across Canada, 61 per cent of boys and 83 per cent of girls do not take in the recommended minimum of three servings per day of milk products. At the same time, more than one in every four Canadian children aged two to 17 were either overweight or obese, which is double that rate since 1973 (www.healthyalberta.com).

Under-nourished children tend to be less responsive socially, more anxious and less physically active; all of which work against developing verbal and physical skills.

Iron deficiency contributes to fatigue and shortened attention spans - both of which affect student performance.

Studies have shown nutritional deficiencies contribute to lower math scores, lower cognitive test scores and less ability to socialize, and impacts on brain development.

Studies also show a relationship between childhood obesity and diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  A sick child misses school and that affects learning.

Why is active living important for schools to promote?

According to The Everactive Schools Program in Alberta, there is a health crisis with children and youth.

• Canadian children are becoming progressively overweight and obese.

• 57 per cent of children and youth are not active enough for health growth and development.

• 10 per cent of children in small communities report that they commute actively to school, compared to 28 per cent of children in larger communities.

Yet, researchers also point out "active students are less susceptible to stress, exhibit positive attitudes about school and themselves are less aggressive, and play better with fellow students." (www.everactive.org). In other words, students who are physically active are more likely to see success at school.

   Good nutrition throughout childhood is critical to a child's ability to learn. Educators have recognized this link between nutrition and learning for years, and recent studies showing that well-fed children learn better than poorly nourished children back up the anecdotal evidence. From the prenatal time period throughout childhood and into adulthood, nutrition plays a pivotal role in an individuals intellectual as well as their physical development.

 A nutritious breakfast provides approximately one-fourth of the recommended dietary allowances (Recommended Daily Intake) for key nutrients such as protein, vitamin A, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. In addition, educators agree that hungry or undernourished children tend to be irritable, apathetic and lethargic, conditions that interfere with learning.

Nutritionally, children who eat breakfast are much better off than those who skip it. Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast have higher 24 hour nutrient intakes when compared to those who skip breakfast. Breakfast skippers do not make up for the lost nutrients later in the day, and average less than 2/3 of the Recommended Daily Intake for many nutrients.

In general, a meal including a variety of foods from several food groups will provide the most benefits to a child, educationally, nutritionally, and physically.

 Consistent, healthy food intake throughout the day and throughout the year meets important educational outcomes in addition to health outcomes. And, because eating habits developed during childhood have the potential to last a lifetime, the long-term benefits of ensuring our children eat nutritious meals every day will last years after they have graduated.