Sep13Bad diet can affect school performance

New research shows that children who ate a diet of junk food at the age of three, made less progress in school between the ages of six and ten.

The Institute of Education, University of London, and the Children of the 90s study found that the 25% of children who ate the most junk food at the age of three were 10% less likely to achieve the expected levels of improvement between key stages 1 and 2, compared with other pupils.

The word ‘junk’ was defined as highly processed foods, take-aways, and foods high in fat and sugar such as crisps, sweets and fizzy drinks.

The children’s diet at later ages appears to have had less impact on their school attainment.

Dr Pauline Emmett of Children of the 90s, commented on what the data is telling us:

It indicates that early eating patterns have effects that persist over time, regardless of later changes in diet.

So it is very important for children to eat a well-balanced diet from an early age if they are to get the best out of their education.

The research was based on data from the Children of the 90s (ALSPAC) study.