NUTRITION IN SCHOOL CHILDREN
Nutrition is very important for health, development, and success at every age. Childhood is the period when both physical and mental development occur most rapidly. For the continuation of healthy development and success in school, it is essential for children to have adequate and balanced nutrition.
The school period generally encompasses a time when all families expect success from their children in every area, and it is expected that this performance is maintained throughout their educational life. Therefore, the greatest concern of families is to ensure that their children are well-nourished in order to support them, facilitate their learning, and help them succeed in managing this educational burden. Research has shown that there is a significant relationship between nutrition and school performance.
According to studies, nutrition and environmental conditions are known to be effective in improving factors that influence success, such as comprehension, concentration, and attention disorders. However, no single food has a miraculous effect on its own; thus, no health professional can claim that consuming certain foods makes one smarter. Research conducted on children with varying degrees of nutritional deficiency has shown that establishing a regular and balanced eating habit at a young age has a significant impact on academic performance in later years. The most important finding in these studies is that the most crucial nutritional activity affecting school performance is breakfast.
Studies show that children who skip breakfast not only have reduced cognitive abilities but also shorter attention spans during lessons. Children who do not eat breakfast frequently report symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, faintness, sweating, headaches, nausea, and abdominal pain. Therefore, it is important to instill a regular breakfast habit in children and make it enjoyable for them.
Deficiencies in micronutrients like vitamins and minerals are also frequently observed in school children. Deficiencies in vitamin A, iron, and iodine are closely related to growth, frequent illnesses, and comprehension. Iron is essential for communication between brain cells. Iron deficiency in children hinders learning and negatively affects school performance. Iodine deficiency observed in childhood also adversely affects intelligence and cognitive functions. Iodine deficiency is a common problem in our country, so iodized salts should be preferred.
Dietary habits high in fats and sugars but low in proteins, vitamins, and minerals can lead to concentration issues, low energy, and focus problems at school. This negatively affects a child's learning capacity and can lead to obesity. Therefore, the consumption of sugary foods, foods high in flour and fats, and sugary and acidic beverages should be limited.
Omega-3 and monounsaturated fats are known to positively affect brain development and cognitive functions. These fats are also necessary for hormone synthesis. Foods such as seafood, olive oil, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, and flaxseeds are rich in these fats and should be included in the diet.
There is also a close relationship between nutrition and immune system functions. Children with inadequate nutrition are more susceptible to infectious diseases. Each period of infection leads to school absenteeism. A child who cannot continue their education will also experience a decline in school performance. To protect against infections, it is essential to adhere to the principles of adequate and balanced nutrition.
The level of physical activity, social relationships, and communication skills in children are also negatively affected by poor nutrition. This effect, characterized by disinterest and inadequate comprehension, can be prevented with adequate and balanced nutrition.
Numerous studies have shown that well-nourished children are more energetic and dynamic and that their leadership behaviors develop. However, there is no specific food or nutrient that guarantees children's success. Increasing the frequency and quantity of certain nutrients and the foods rich in them alone does not boost intelligence. Intelligence is influenced by many factors, including genetics and environmental conditions, in addition to nutrition. Achieving the desired level of success can only be possible by preventing nutrient deficiencies and ensuring adequate and balanced nutrition. The easiest way to achieve this is through a healthy nutrition model characterized by regular meals, variety, and meeting fluid needs.
The school period generally encompasses a time when all families expect success from their children in every area, and it is expected that this performance is maintained throughout their educational life. Therefore, the greatest concern of families is to ensure that their children are well-nourished in order to support them, facilitate their learning, and help them succeed in managing this educational burden. Research has shown that there is a significant relationship between nutrition and school performance.
According to studies, nutrition and environmental conditions are known to be effective in improving factors that influence success, such as comprehension, concentration, and attention disorders. However, no single food has a miraculous effect on its own; thus, no health professional can claim that consuming certain foods makes one smarter. Research conducted on children with varying degrees of nutritional deficiency has shown that establishing a regular and balanced eating habit at a young age has a significant impact on academic performance in later years. The most important finding in these studies is that the most crucial nutritional activity affecting school performance is breakfast.
Studies show that children who skip breakfast not only have reduced cognitive abilities but also shorter attention spans during lessons. Children who do not eat breakfast frequently report symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, faintness, sweating, headaches, nausea, and abdominal pain. Therefore, it is important to instill a regular breakfast habit in children and make it enjoyable for them.
Deficiencies in micronutrients like vitamins and minerals are also frequently observed in school children. Deficiencies in vitamin A, iron, and iodine are closely related to growth, frequent illnesses, and comprehension. Iron is essential for communication between brain cells. Iron deficiency in children hinders learning and negatively affects school performance. Iodine deficiency observed in childhood also adversely affects intelligence and cognitive functions. Iodine deficiency is a common problem in our country, so iodized salts should be preferred.
Dietary habits high in fats and sugars but low in proteins, vitamins, and minerals can lead to concentration issues, low energy, and focus problems at school. This negatively affects a child's learning capacity and can lead to obesity. Therefore, the consumption of sugary foods, foods high in flour and fats, and sugary and acidic beverages should be limited.
Omega-3 and monounsaturated fats are known to positively affect brain development and cognitive functions. These fats are also necessary for hormone synthesis. Foods such as seafood, olive oil, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, and flaxseeds are rich in these fats and should be included in the diet.
There is also a close relationship between nutrition and immune system functions. Children with inadequate nutrition are more susceptible to infectious diseases. Each period of infection leads to school absenteeism. A child who cannot continue their education will also experience a decline in school performance. To protect against infections, it is essential to adhere to the principles of adequate and balanced nutrition.
The level of physical activity, social relationships, and communication skills in children are also negatively affected by poor nutrition. This effect, characterized by disinterest and inadequate comprehension, can be prevented with adequate and balanced nutrition.
Numerous studies have shown that well-nourished children are more energetic and dynamic and that their leadership behaviors develop. However, there is no specific food or nutrient that guarantees children's success. Increasing the frequency and quantity of certain nutrients and the foods rich in them alone does not boost intelligence. Intelligence is influenced by many factors, including genetics and environmental conditions, in addition to nutrition. Achieving the desired level of success can only be possible by preventing nutrient deficiencies and ensuring adequate and balanced nutrition. The easiest way to achieve this is through a healthy nutrition model characterized by regular meals, variety, and meeting fluid needs.
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