The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in our Schools,
reveals that poor nutrition, inactivity and weight problems not only cause
health problems in children: they also interfere with student achievement
and may even impact a school ' s bottom line.  Schools are uniquely
positioned to improve students ' health, and it is in their best interest to
do so.

While The Learning Connection cautions that more research is needed to
understand the link between poor nutrition, physical inactivity and academic
achievement, it makes a strong case that these factors have an adverse
affect on academic performance. For example:

n Students participating in daily physical education exhibit better
attendance, a more positive attitude to school, and superior academic
performance.
n Physical activity programs are linked to stronger academic achievement,
increased concentration, and improved math, reading, and writing test
scores.
n Schools with high percentages of students who did not routinely engage in
physical activity or eat well had smaller gains in test scores than did
other schools.
n Well-nourished students who skip breakfast perform worse on tests and have
poor concentration.
Children not getting adequate nutrients have lower test scores, increased
absenteeism, difficulty concentrating and lower energy levels.

Leroy Fanning
UC Foundation Professor of Exercise Science