Food shapes children's learning and well-being
Diet plays a crucial role in their ability to focus and perform well in school as statistics show that one in five children today suffers from learning challenges and attention deficit
Published: 06:03 PM,Mar 20,2025 | EDITED : 10:03 PM,Mar 20,2025
School meals are part of children's everyday lives and affect their health, growth and learning. The food children consume at school directly impacts their energy levels, concentration and mood. Yet, sometimes, meals provided to children at schools may be convenient but do little to support their learning.
In today's world, refusing food and avoiding unhealthy choices has become increasingly difficult due to the abundance and convenience of food.
Unlike previous eras, when health problems were driven by food scarcity, in our era, health problems are connected to too much food. The challenge is no longer just about getting enough to eat but navigating an overwhelming food environment where food is constantly within reach.
This issue is particularly concerning when considering the foods marketed to children. A study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health revealed that over 80 per cent of food advertisements aimed at children promote fast food, sugary drinks, candy and unhealthy snacks.
The relentless marketing of unhealthy foods exerts significant psychological pressure on children, shaping their preferences and eating habits in ways that favour processed, nutrient-poor options over wholesome, home-cooked meals.
Children today need nutritional literacy, which is more important than ever. They need to learn how to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods, understand the impact of their choices on their health, and develop the ability to regulate their food consumption in terms of quality and quantity.
School meals can serve as a model for balanced nutrition, reinforcing the importance of whole, nutrient-rich foods. When schools provide fresh, wholesome meals, they not only nourish students, but also shape their lifelong eating habits.
Introducing nutritional literacy at home can be challenging, mainly when children's eating habits are influenced by their family's diet. In many cases, food-related issues become a family cycle, where unhealthy eating patterns are passed down between family members. When family members struggle with poor nutrition, children naturally follow their lead, making introducing healthier habits at home harder.
On the other hand, sometimes parents work hard to instil healthy eating habits at home, carefully regulating their child's diet and encouraging nutritious choices, only to find that their efforts are undone by the easy access to unhealthy food at school. When school cafeterias, vending machines and shops offer sugary drinks, processed snacks and fast food, children are tempted to indulge in these options, making it difficult for parents to enforce healthy habits.
Current statistics show that one in five children today suffers from learning challenges and attention deficit, and diet plays a crucial role in their ability to focus and perform well in school. High-sugar foods cause spikes and crash blood sugar levels, leading to increased hyperactivity, impulsivity and difficulty concentrating factors, which can significantly worsen attention problems during their time in school. Unhealthy meals at school make it harder for children to absorb information, stay engaged in class and regulate their behaviour.
In conclusion, schools are the ideal place to teach nutritional literacy, an essential skill in today’s world. Healthy meals at school support children’s physical health and learning and empower them to develop lifelong healthy eating habits. By fostering awareness and offering nutritious food choices, schools can help break the cycle of unhealthy eating at home, creating a ripple effect that benefits entire families. As institutions shaping the next generation, schools have a collective responsibility to prioritise the health and well-being of future citizens, ensuring they grow up with the knowledge and habits needed for a healthier future.
The writer is an educational psychologist based in Oman
In today's world, refusing food and avoiding unhealthy choices has become increasingly difficult due to the abundance and convenience of food.
Unlike previous eras, when health problems were driven by food scarcity, in our era, health problems are connected to too much food. The challenge is no longer just about getting enough to eat but navigating an overwhelming food environment where food is constantly within reach.
This issue is particularly concerning when considering the foods marketed to children. A study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health revealed that over 80 per cent of food advertisements aimed at children promote fast food, sugary drinks, candy and unhealthy snacks.
The relentless marketing of unhealthy foods exerts significant psychological pressure on children, shaping their preferences and eating habits in ways that favour processed, nutrient-poor options over wholesome, home-cooked meals.
Children today need nutritional literacy, which is more important than ever. They need to learn how to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods, understand the impact of their choices on their health, and develop the ability to regulate their food consumption in terms of quality and quantity.
School meals can serve as a model for balanced nutrition, reinforcing the importance of whole, nutrient-rich foods. When schools provide fresh, wholesome meals, they not only nourish students, but also shape their lifelong eating habits.
Introducing nutritional literacy at home can be challenging, mainly when children's eating habits are influenced by their family's diet. In many cases, food-related issues become a family cycle, where unhealthy eating patterns are passed down between family members. When family members struggle with poor nutrition, children naturally follow their lead, making introducing healthier habits at home harder.
On the other hand, sometimes parents work hard to instil healthy eating habits at home, carefully regulating their child's diet and encouraging nutritious choices, only to find that their efforts are undone by the easy access to unhealthy food at school. When school cafeterias, vending machines and shops offer sugary drinks, processed snacks and fast food, children are tempted to indulge in these options, making it difficult for parents to enforce healthy habits.
Current statistics show that one in five children today suffers from learning challenges and attention deficit, and diet plays a crucial role in their ability to focus and perform well in school. High-sugar foods cause spikes and crash blood sugar levels, leading to increased hyperactivity, impulsivity and difficulty concentrating factors, which can significantly worsen attention problems during their time in school. Unhealthy meals at school make it harder for children to absorb information, stay engaged in class and regulate their behaviour.
In conclusion, schools are the ideal place to teach nutritional literacy, an essential skill in today’s world. Healthy meals at school support children’s physical health and learning and empower them to develop lifelong healthy eating habits. By fostering awareness and offering nutritious food choices, schools can help break the cycle of unhealthy eating at home, creating a ripple effect that benefits entire families. As institutions shaping the next generation, schools have a collective responsibility to prioritise the health and well-being of future citizens, ensuring they grow up with the knowledge and habits needed for a healthier future.
The writer is an educational psychologist based in Oman