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AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECT OF EATING HABIT ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The term eating habit or (food habits) refers to way and how people eat, which food they eat, and with whom they eat, as well as ways people obtain, store, use and discard food. Individual, social, religious, economic environmental and political factors all influence peoples eating habits. It is an acceptable fact that food is fundamentally necessary in order to function effectively as a human being. It basically strengthens us with the necessary nutrient to help us live and survive in this material world. Eating habit helps a person to perform work especially for young one who is studying. With the right quality and quantity of food taken into our bodies, our mental and physical capacity can be enhanced. This can improve our health and thus avoid risk for certain diseases and illness. However, there are people who are busy working or doing certain activities who cannot watch their health that much, especially students who are busy with school works. These people have difficulties in developing good eating habits.

Students who want to give their academic performance an additional edge may want to consider thinking about what they eat. While parents and educators alike have often cited anecdotal evidence about food and academic performance, research indicates that these beliefs count as more than just old wives tales. Good eating habit not only promote physical well-being but academic health as well. Dr. Paul J. Veugelers of the University of Alberta in Edmonton and his professional colleagues studied the correlation between good nutrition and academic success. They found that students who are the right amount of fiber, vegetables, protein and fruits did better academically. According to Reuters, a University study about the correlation bet3een test grades and nutrition suggest that food choices make students smarter in testing situations. The study consider factors such as parent income and educational institution as well as the food student eat. Students who did not eat enough healthy food did the worst on test compared to their peers.

        The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) also oversees the largest school breakfast program in the world. The school breakfast program (SBP) was part of the 1966 Child Nutrition Act. The legislations original goal was to offer breakfast to students from low-income families. It was created as a pilot project to provide meals for children “in poor areas where students had to travel a great distance to get to school” (Kennedy and Davis, 1998, pp. 798). By 1975 amendment to Child Nutrition Act made the SBP permanent congress planed to make the program available in all schools enrich the well-being of school aged students. In later years, congress chooses to expand the availability of the SBP, so in 1989 the Child Nutrition Act was once again amended. The secretary of Agriculture was then required to award funding to states with school that had a large proportion of children from low-income families, who wanted to begin the SBP (Kennedy and Davis, 1998).

        Like the NSLP, the USDA subsidizes schools breakfast, with the amount of subsidy dependent upon the families income and size. In order for a school to receive, the subsidy it must follow dietary guidelines. The goal of the SBP is to provide one fourth of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for energy and selected nutrients. According to the School Nutrition Association, current meal patterns requires that the SBP serve the following on daily basis (SNA, 2008).   

1-2 servings of grains/bread One half of two ounce meat/meat alternatives. Three quarters of a cup of fruits/vegetables. 8 ounce of milk.

Proper nutrition is critical for maximizing brain function and enhancing learning. Helping children develop healthful eating habit from young age will aid them in reaching their optimal potentials.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

        Despite the primary, junior and secondary school curriculum comprising topic taught (food and nutrition), radio an d television programmes have also educated/enlightened parents and school children on the feeding on balance diet. Evidence had shown that a lot of them still do not know how to feed well, this could be noticed in some food deficiency disease and death as a result of malnutrition. Through this nutritional health problem a lot of primary school children that would have been great men and women were lost. Also inadequate nutrition as stated by Research Council (2007) and Myles (1993) causes anemia, weakness of the body, blurred vision, fainting and dwindling academic performance. This study therefore intend to study the effect eating or food habit has on the academic performance of primary school pupils.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

     This research paper is based upon an attempt to answer the following questions:

Does eating habit influence the pupils academic performance in school in Ovia north Local government Area? Is there any difference between eating habit and academic performance of pupils? Can eating program organize by schools enhance the nutritional diet of pupils in Ovia North East Local Government Area? Is there any relationship between the role of parents and their children’s proper eating habit?   

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

        The purpose of this research papers is to:

Investigate the influence eating habit has on the academic performance of pupils See if there is any difference between eating habit and academic performance. Look into how eaten program organize by school can enhance nutritional diet of pupils. Find out the relationship between the role of parents and their children’s proper eating habit.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

        This researcher paper is focused on adequate feeding habits, balanced diet and resultant nutritional diseases for the knowledge of educational nutritionist. Home economists, dieticians and health educators. Also, to sensitize lit4rate parents, on the hazards of giving unbalanced diets to the children or their wards. Also, to teach health education, integrated science, biology and agricultural science teachers the feeding habit or eating habit, food preference and health problems of students relating to nutrient consumption. Plus that; nutritional health education curriculum planners nutrient consumption.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Academic Performance: This can be referred to as rating given to an individual in an academic or school work. It is also the outcome of education.

Anecdotal: A short account of an incident often humorous.

Dietary: To modify ones food and beverages intake so as to decrease or increase body weight or influence health.

Nutrient: A source of nourishment, such as food, that can be metabolized by an organism to give energy and build tissue.

Optimal Potentials: Most favourable or desirable qualities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness.

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