AL-HIKMAH UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
INFLUENCE OF GOOD NUTRITION ON ACADEMIC
PERFORMANCE
BY
ALIU Rasheedat Arike
21/08PUH055
CONTENTS OUTLINE
• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Discussion
• Conclusion
References
INTRODUCTION
• A balanced diet is essential for good health and nutrition. It provides the
body with the nutrients it needs to function correctly, and to protect against
many chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes,
and cancer. A healthy, balanced diet means eating a wide variety of foods in
the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to
achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
• Academic performance refers to the extent to which a student, learner, or
educational institution has successfully met the objectives and standards set
by an educational system. It encompasses a multifaceted evaluation of an
individual's intellectual abilities, knowledge acquisition, and skills
development within the context of formal education.
INTRODUCTION
• Cognitive function refers to the mental processes and abilities that are
essential for acquiring, processing, storing, and utilizing information. These
functions involve various aspects of thinking, reasoning, memory,
perception, attention, language, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• At its core, a balanced diet is characterized by the inclusion of various foods
from all the major food groups which include:
oFruit and Vegetable
oWhole Grains
oLean Proteins
oHealthy Fats
INTRODUCTION
A generalized healthy diet and lifestyle pyramid.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Importance of nutrition for overall health
The importance of nutrition for overall health cannot be overstated. Without
balanced nutrition, the body is more prone to disease, infection, fatigue, and
low performance. Children who don’t get enough healthy foods may face
growth and developmental problems, poor academic performance, and
frequent infections.
They can also develop unhealthy eating habits that may persist into
adulthood.
LITERATURE REVIEW
How do nutrients impact brain function?
The impact of nutrients on brain function can be understood through the
following points:
1. Neurotransmitter regulation
2. Synaptic transmission
3. Membrane fluidity
4. Signal-transduction pathways
5. Nutrient deficiencies
6. Omega-3 fatty acids
7. Antioxidants
8. Gut microbiome
Healthy food for the brains
LITERATURE REVIEW
The Role of Hydration in Cognitive Performance
1. Adequate water intake has been linked to improvements in mood, with
hydrated individuals reporting enhanced feelings of alertness and
contentment.
2. Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining optimal cognitive
function.
3. Hydration plays a pivotal role in sustaining energy levels, contributing to
a sense of vitality that directly influences cognitive performance.
4. Proper hydration ensures the efficient transport of nutrients and oxygen to
the brain, facilitating neural processes that underpin cognitive abilities.
Main dimensions of cognition
Commonly reported impacts of dehydration on mood state and cognitive function.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Historical Perspectives on Nutrition and Academic Performance
• Adolescence is a critical period that requires proper nourishment for
physical, psychological, and cognitive growth. A lack of adequate
nourishment can lead to various degrees of malnutrition, which may impact
academic achievements.
• Malnutrition, characterized by inadequate intake of essential nutrients,
emerges as a focal point in historical narratives on this subject.
• Historical perspectives on nutrition and academic performance elucidate a
continuous thread of awareness regarding the pivotal role of nourishment in
shaping the educational journey. This recognition, grounded in the
acknowledgment of adolescence as a critical phase, lays the foundation for
contemporary explorations into the intricate interplay between nutrition and
academic success.
CONCLUSION
• In conclusion, this review underscores the vital relationship between a
balanced diet and academic performance, emphasizing the profound
impact of nutritional choices on cognitive function. The review
traverses historical perspectives, revealing a consistent awareness of
the critical role of nourishment in shaping academic success,
particularly during adolescence.
• The review not only highlights the significance of specific nutrients in
regulating cognitive processes but also delves into the historical
acknowledgment of the interconnectedness between nutritional status
and cognitive abilities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Enhanced School Nutrition Programs
2. Nutritional Education Initiatives enhance awareness of the significance of a
balanced diet.
3. Integration of Physical Activity within educational settings.
4. Collaboration with Health Professionals, including nutritionists, dietitians, and
psychologists.
5. Policy Development at both institutional and governmental levels that prioritize
and support comprehensive health and nutrition programs in schools.
6. Longitudinal Studies to track the impact of sustained dietary changes on
academic performance and cognitive function.
7. Community Engagement Programs in initiatives that promote healthy eating
habits.
8. Technology-Based Interventions to deliver nutritional information and guidance
9. Continued Research and Innovation
10.Incorporate Water Consumption Programs
REFERENCES
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Cave, A.E., Chang, D.H., Münch, G.W., et al. (2023). A systematic review of the safety and
efficacy on cognitive function of herbal and nutritional medicines in older adults with and
without
subjective
cognitive
impairment.
Systematic
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12(1),
143.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02301-6
Haque, Dr., Basit, Dr., Tanwani, R., Zehra, Dr., & Solangi, Prof. (2015). Balanced diet; balanced
life. The Professional Medical Journal, 20, 1304-1308. https://doi.org/10.17957/TPMJ/15.2647
Kambham Venkateswarl, REVIEW ON BALANCED DIET. PHARMATUTOR-ART-1639.
https://www.pharmatutor.org/articles/review-balanced-diet
Lim S. (2018). Eating a Balanced Diet: A Healthy Life through a Balanced Diet in the Age of
Longevity.
Journal
of
obesity
&
metabolic
syndrome,
27(1),
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https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes.2018.27.1.39
Liu, Y., Fly, A. D., Wang, Z., & Klaunig, J. E. (2018). The Effects of Green Tea Extract on
Working Memory in Healthy Women. The journal of nutrition, health & aging, 22(3), 446–450.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-017-0962-8