Nutrition for the future

Douglas College student research essay submitted as partial requirement for PSYC 2207 course as part of the STEP UP (Student Teams Exploring Pervasive Urban Problems) program. Faculty sponsor to submit this research essay to DOOR: Dr. Anne MacGregor.

Nutrition is the essential fuel that our bodies, most importantly our brains, use to function. However, students tend not to realize its significance. Students require the right nutrients to allow their brains to function, allowing them to focus more attentively and be more successful in their academic careers. Children often do not meet their daily nutrient recommendations or recommended meals per day, resulting in many academic struggles. To combat this issue, programs must be integrated into schools to promote healthier and more frequent meals. Breakfast and lunch are crucial for a successful student as schools mainly run from the morning to the afternoon. A study by Bartfeld et al. (2019) and Terry-McElrath et al. (2015) shows a program indicating what benefits arise from adding a school breakfast and lunch program. This also benefits those who do not have the resources at home to consume these daily meals as they have a safe space to eat. Frequent meals are not the only concern of nutrition; getting the right amount of fruits and vegetables is most important in maintaining a healthy body and mind. The study by Kropp et al. (2018) shows that integrating schools with local farms can benefit students' by increasing their daily intake of fruits and vegetables. To be a successful student, academics are not the only focus; physical activity also plays a part. To participate in physical activity, milk intake is needed to increase calcium in the bones. A study by Henry et al. (2015) shows the benefits of increasing students' milk intake by providing a school program. Poor nutrition can occur due to many factors and lead to later problems such as diabetes and heart disease. This, however, can be preventable by incorporating a program that targets both the nutrition and physical activity of a student, which is seen in a study by Centeio et al. 2018. Nutrition is one of the key elements of being a successful student, and incorporating select programs into B.C. schools, can promote a healthy body and a healthy mind.