The correlation between nutrition and academic achievement in Georgia Middle Schools

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it is an important part of the academic achievement of students. Several hours after breakfast, the body requires more fuel. The fuel is used to energize the body and help feel refreshed. The wrong fuel may have the opposite effect. The primary objective of this correlation study was to determine if there was a relationship between the academic achievement, as measured by reading and math scores on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) of 8th grade students and their nutritional intake. The qualifications of the selected participants were that they were in a North Georgia middle school. This population was chosen because 8th grade is the only grade level in Georgia Middle Schools required to demonstrate academic achievement for promotion. These students were required to meet or exceed in reading and mathematics on the CRCT; therefore, they took the test more seriously. The results indicated that a significant negative correlation existed between nutritional intake and academic achievement for both math and reading.