Fast food linked to poor performance in school

The link between junk food and poor performance at school has been proved, say researchers.

There is a direct correlation between the amount of high fat and sugary foods pupils consumed and their academic results, according to a US study.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, asked more than 5,500 ten and 11-year-olds to record how many times a week they ate at fast food restaurants. Just over half had eaten fast food between one and three times during the previous week.

Ten per cent had eaten it between four and six times and two per cent said they ate junk food four or more times a day.

The children were given literacy and numeracy tests. The average literacy score was 141.52 points and in numeracy, 115.24 points.

Pupils who ate junk food between four and six times a week scored 6.96 points below average in reading. Those who ate it daily dropped 16.07 points and pupils who indulged three times a day dropped 19.34 points.

In maths, those eating fast food between four and six times a week scored 6.55 points below average. Daily junk food led to a 14.82 point drop and a three-a-day habit led to a 18.48 point drop.

Source