Junk food effects on children concentration

 How Healthy Eating Affects Children's Concentration

Research shows that healthy eating can improve children's concentration and help them do better in school, says pediatric behavioral nutritionist Janice Baranowski from Baylor University in Houston. Baranowski adds that getting the proper nutrients is especially important for young brains that are still growing and developing. Nutritionist Beth Reardon from Duke University's integrative medicine center in Durham, North Carolina, adds that research also suggests that certain foods may affect kids with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, either in a positive or a negative way.

Brain Development

The brain develops faster during early childhood than at any other period of life. DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid in breast milk and some formulas, is believed to be crucial for brain development and may help brain cells work more efficiently, says Baranowski. The omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon and other fatty fish may also help facilitate learning and reduce sleep and behavior problems that can interfere with concentration in older kids, according to a 1996 Purdue University study of boys ages 6 to 12 that was published in "Physiology and Behavior."

Breakfast Fuel

According to a 2005 University of Florida report published in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association," breakfast eaters may have improved memory and get better grades on tests compared to kids who skip breakfast. Children who don't eat breakfast also suffer from hunger due to lack of fuel to start the day. A University of Michigan study of elementary school children published in the July 2001 issue of "Pediatrics" found that the kids who didn't get enough to eat had significantly lower math scores and were more likely to repeat a grade than children who fueled up with a healthy breakfast.

Preventing Energy Dips

High amounts of sugar and fat can hurt children's concentration by causing energy dips. A heavy, fat-laden meal--like a fast-food burger and fries--slows alertness by sending blood from the brain to the tummy to help with digestion. Candy, cookies, cakes and other sugary foods can hinder concentration because sugar causes blood sugar to spike and then plunge, causing an energy crash. Too much sugar also contributes to childhood obesity, which can impair physical and mental health.

References

• Janice Baranowski, R.D., M.P.H.; Assistant Professor of Pediatric Behavioral Nutrition, Baylor University; Houston, Texas