GRADE 7 STUDENTS’ NUTRITION AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

IN ORANI NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL- MAIN:

A CORRELATIONAL STUDY

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A Research Presented to Faculty of

Orani National High School- Main

Province of Orani, Bataan

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In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Practical Research 2

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Maricar C. Daligdig

October, 2022
 CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

A good diet is essential for a long life. Understanding the factors that influence

eating decisions during adolescence is crucial because this period of life is crucial for the

development of long-lasting habits. Differentiated interventions may be appropriate given

the differences between the sexes (Cardoso, Nunes, Santos & Loureiro, 2018). Nutritional

issues can get better, however slowly. It is one of the challenges or problems that various

nations face, but it is not currently prioritized. The hidden crisis of adolescent nutrition

crisis is particularly evident in the Philippines, where the prevalence of malnutrition is high,

characterized by undernutrition and obesity. Approximately a third of Filipino adolescents

(aged 10–19 years) are stunted, and 10–7% are overweight or have obesity (Valdez et al.,

2022). Discussing the wellbeing and health of adolescents. It is the problems of male and

female adolescents, particularly the younger ones, must receive proper care. Adolescents

(10–14 years) and older (15–19 years), married and single, with a variety of socioeconomic

statuses, and both adolescents in general, and especially those who are vulnerable. For

addressing the whole range of subgroups, various tactics, service delivery avenues, and

environments must be taken into account of adolescents with interventions based on

reliable research.

One of the essential aspects of human health is nutrition. Life, and brain

development throughout the course of a lifetime. A balanced diet is essential for physical

development, brain development, and productivity. Any country's or community's

development is greatly influenced by the standard of education in that country. To pinpoint

the precise connection between health and education, it is crucial to comprehend the nature

of the causal relationship between the two. Although poor health and malnutrition in early

life may have an impact on cognitive ability, health and nutrition also have an impact on

educational attainment. The school administration must carefully observe and analyze how

the students' performance affects their physical well-being in order to assess it (Curada,

2019).

In terms of evaluating, one’s well-being, there is a tool, and the most commonly

used index for obesity, underweight, malnutrition, and overweight is the BMI. Nearly all

population and epidemiologic research uses weight and height as they are straightforward,

trustworthy, and appropriate measurements for field studies (Guo & Chumlea, 1999). The

majority of evidence supports BMI's capacity to predict a person's risk of chronic disease,

notably their risk of early death and metabolic syndrome, despite criticism that it

oversimplifies health (Davidson, 2021). Obesity in children, adolescents, and adults is a

public health concern in almost all regions of the world. As of 2016, it was estimated that

5.6% of adolescents aged 10–19 years were obese (defined as having a body mass index

(BMI) of 30 or higher) (WHO, 2022). Thereupon BMI is useful indicator to help experts

to assess or gauge a person's health.

On the other hand, the multiple cognitive activities, which include knowing,

remembering, judging, and problem-solving, are collectively referred to as "cognition," as

opposed to the mental processes involved in comprehension and learning (Cherry, 2022).

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA) is one of the greatest tools for assessing

cognitive ability. It consists of a 10- to 15-minute test that requires memorization of a brief
list of words, animal identification, and copying a drawing of a shape or object (National

Library of Medicine, 2020). Cognitive talents are therefore seen to provide the foundation

for the development of academic performance and achievement, and academic

performance and achievement are a result of the investment of cognitive abilities and the

environmental stimulation offered by, for example, educational environments (Peng &

Kievit, 2020).

Based on one study's results, adolescents with a normal BMI and those who are

overweight or obese performed better when they ate breakfast right before a cognitive

exam. Regularly skipping breakfast has been associated with poorer cognitive

performance, particularly in teenagers who are overweight or obese. These results indicate

that nutritional education for parents and kids about the value of eating breakfast may be

an effective method for enhancing cognitive function. Intervention studies are required to

support the current findings (Jorquera, 2021).

In conclusion, the findings of this review show that nutritional interventions have a

positive effect on the cognitive development of undernourished preschool-age children.

Nutrient-deficient children who receive micronutrient supplementation consistently

display significant advances in cognitive outcomes. Furthermore, nourished children who

increase fish consumption display improvements in cognitive abilities. This review

highlights the importance of adequate nutrient intake during the second 1000 days of a

child’s life and the crucial role sufficient nutrition plays in cognitive development (Roberts

et al., 2022).

The importance of nutrition for later cognitive development continues to be

debated. Nutrition plays an important role in proper physical and cognitive functioning.
There is, however, little research on the connection between a child's total nutrition,

cognition, and academic success, particularly in low-income and diverse communities. The

objective of this study was to examine the relationships between healthy versus unhealthy

food group intake, cognitive performance, and academic achievement in a diverse sample

of schoolchildren (Sande et al., 2019).

Hence this research is created and the focus is on grade 7 students which has the

age 10-19 which is known as adolescent stage in Orani National high school-main

association with nutrition and cognitive development. This study is important as it looks at

the relationship between nutrition and cognition. It can also be used to monitor the health

of the students with an age range of 10 to 19, to see who is at risk for or has diseases

connected to nutrition, namely obesity, overweight, underweight, or in short, malnutrition.

It can also be used as a reference for other papers or future investigators connecting

education, performance, and nutrition. Then this paper would tackle the factors affecting

nutrition and cognition, such as economic status, age and sex.

 Statement of the Problem

This quantitative study intends to investigate the connection between children’s

nutrition and cognition. Including the factors.

Specifically, this study will seek answers to the following questions:

1.) What is the respondent’s profile in terms of its:

1.1 age

1.2 sex

1.3 height

1.4 weight

1.5 economic status

2.) What is the impact of negative or good nutrition to academic

performance in terms of:

2.1 scores in recitations and test

3.) Is there any significant relatedness between nutrition and cognitive

development in relation to:

3.1 economic status

3.2 BMI

3.3 academic performance

Scope and Delimitation

The age range of the primary responders, students, is 10 to 19. 100 people

made up the sample size. 7th grade: five students in 20 sections on the main campus

of Orani National High School.

This study will concentrate on the connection between nutrition and

cognition, taking into account particular aspects like sex, age, and economic status.

The researcher will examine the subject's current state of health, including the use

of BMI, a measurement indicator used to assess a subject's nutritional status. The

study will then look at academic achievement in terms of cognitive development

by obtaining the results from recitation, assignments, and tests. To make things

clearer, the researcher will find out the students' BMI, actual meal plan, or what

they consume on a daily basis, and academic performance.

Conceptual Framework

This research looks at the influence student nutrition has on academic

performance. More specifically, how food insecurity, and school food consumption

impacts grade point average. The Data for the research was collected from an in-

person survey and an online student database. The findings revealed that for each

increment a student got closer to being food insecure on the survey, their grade

point average went down by.12 points. Additionally, students that are consuming

two meals a day at school, breakfast and lunch, have grade point average that is

.139 points lower than students who don’t, and students who feel it is important to
choose healthy food have a grade point average that is .629 points higher than

students that don’t (Malki, 2018).

Moreover breakfast consumption was positively correlated with

achievement motivation and academic achievement of students, and the SES of

family also played a good moderating role. The results of this study suggested that

breakfast was necessary to promote healthy eating among the Chinese adolescents

and their parents. The preservation of traditional Chinese eating habits should be a

common concern for parents and schools. The government should provide

breakfast guarantee for students from disadvantaged families. Further research is

needed to investigate the possible ways in which SES influences eating habits (Gao,

Zhou & Shu, 2021). Breakfast consumption, i.e. the number of days students

consume breakfast per week, has a positive effect on their self-reported GPA.

Students who had breakfast on at least five days per week reported a significantly

higher GPA than students who had breakfast on three days or fewer. However, there

are other factors, such as sleep habits and hours worked, that may have a greater

positive or negative influence on student grades than eating breakfast. Fast food

consumption, on the other hand, has a negative effect on student achievement.

Students who had fast food at least seven times in the past week reported

significantly lower current GPAs than students who had eaten fast food less than

four times or not at all (Reuter, Forster & Brister, 2020).

As children grow, their level of comprehension improves and instilling

decision-making capabilities with sensible preferences for nutritious options is a

feat to be taken on by American school districts. While it should be acknowledged

 that students' eating habits may have a significant impact on their academic success,

more research is required to determine strategies to promote positive behavioral

change in students according to their nutrition and/or overall lifestyle habits,

involving the school setting and families (Kristo, Gultekin, Ostag & Sikalidis,

2020). Every organ and bodily system are impacted by diet, which can then have

an impact on brain health (Moody, Chen & Pan, 2017).

Predictor Criterion Model

Nutrition Fitness of Adolescents in Orani Level of Cognitive Development of

National high school-main children in Orani National high school-

 BMI (height and weight) main

 Meal Plan  Scores in test, and recitations

Relationship of Nutrition and Cognitive Development of adolescents in Orani National

High School- Main

Significance of the study

Research is a part of education that will contribute to knowledge and

awareness. The focus of this investigation is nutrition and cognition. The significance of

the two is to contribute to knowledge and awareness. The focus of this investigation is
nutrition and cognition. The significance of the two has been given, which is helpful and

useful for us humans to live and grow. This study is significant because it examines the

connection between cognition and nutrition. It can also be used to keep track of the health

of students between the ages of 10 and 19 and determine whether any of them are at risk

for developing problems related to nutrition. It may also be used as a source for future

studies relating to cognition, academic achievement, and nutrition. After that, this study

would address the factors influencing the two main variables. Although the emphasis of

this inquiry is on adolescents, the overall framework can be helpful to everyone, and they

can gain from this study's objective insights about nutrition and cognition since it is

connected to a better understanding of the relationship and factors among the variables.

This study is deemed significant to the following stakeholders:

Adolescents in ONHS-main. This study will enhance their thinking and to have a

proper understanding of how important nutrition and cognition is. Additionally, it will

assist them in changing any negative behaviors they may have that are related to the subject

at hand.

Teachers. They can assess the students' performance with the aid of this study.

Finally, if the teachers were asked which of their students needed to engage in a feeding

program, they would know who to focus on.

School Administrators. One of the earlier problems that is still a problem

now and keeps coming up is nutrition. This research may help them find answers or prevent

the situation from getting worse.

 SSG Officers. This study can assist them in developing programs, activities,

and laws related to malnutrition. As every program or policy created by the SSG is being

evaluated by the principal, if the principal inquires as to why the SSG would like to

organize such a movement, this can be a strong counterargument. The results of this study

reveal the proportion of underweight and overweight populations and whether or not it

affects children's academic performance.

4Ps. as this program is created to fight poverty, including by providing

nutrition and education. This study would help them to see who is in need for the said

program. This will also help them see who is most qualified to be granted this program.

Feeding Program of Cookery. This study would help them who to prioritize

to give the said program. They would have a more organized and clearer view of who is

qualified.

Parents. This study will help them monitor their child. As habit has a big role

Why the child created it. They will know how to practice good habits for the child's benefit.

Lastly, it will help them see if the setting or environment affects a child's nutrition.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Key concepts are operationally explained here in order to help readers comprehend

this study.

Nutrition Consuming healthy food gives us the right energy, making it crucial for

us to be able to move. It plays a significant part in determining how much heavy work we

can handle.
 Cognitive is highly useful in determining how we will receive information and how

we will process details, which is related to how we will decide, how we will respond, and

how we will perform. Lastly, how we answer questions.

BMI It is a tool that is useful in determining a person's level of health. Height and

weight are part of it.

Malnutrition a lack of nutrients, either as a result of a poor diet or problems

absorbing nutrients from food. Examples of these are underweight, overweight, and

obesity.

Economic status a means of classifying people according to their level of

education, annual income, and employment.

Academic performance is a result of how you perform in class or on a test. the

results of your efforts, attitude, and thinking.

Adolescents is the developmental stage leading up to adulthood during which the

body and brain undergo significant changes, frequently at different rates. Age ranges from

10 to 19.

Environment It is the place the student lived or went every day, as well as being

connected to the people who influenced their attitude and behavior.

Score is the examination's final numerical outcome.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test is among the most effective tools for

evaluating cognitive capacity. It comprises a 10- to 15-minute test that calls for recalling a

short list of phrases, recognizing animals, and imitating a sketch of a shape or object.
 Age a period of time that begins at birth and is expressed in years.

Sex labeled or categorize as female or male.

Grade 7 is the first year of education for both junior high and high school.

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