The following statement was written by members of the Massachusetts School Nutrition Task Force. Nutrition influences a child's development, health status, well-being and potential for learning. Rationale Students must go to school with minds and bodies ready to take advantage of the learning environment schools work so hard to develop.
Good nutrition is a prime factor in the student's ability to learn.
Even when a child misses one meal, behavior and academic performances are affected. A hungry child has difficulty learning. For a school age child, not eating breakfast can lead to fatigue and a diminished attention span. While the body adjusts to decreased blood sugar levels, the brain struggles to perform its function with a minimal supply of nutrients. Children up to the age of ten need to eat every four to six hours to maintain a blood sugar concentration high enough to support the activity of the brain and the nervous system.