HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY

SBA

THE EFECTS OF HIGHLY-CALORIE FOODS ON STUDENTS BEHAVOUIR

Candidate Name: Tanesha Johnson

Candidate Number:
Date of submission:

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TABLE OF CONTENT:

Introduction
Background Information……..………………………… 3
Problem Statement……………………………………... 3
Research Objective……………………………………... 3
Methodology……………………………………………………3
Presentation of Data……………………………………………. 4-5
Analysis and Interpretation of data……………………………..6
Conclusion……………………………………………………...6
Recommendations………………………………………………6
Reflection…………………………………………………….....7
Bibliography…………………………………………………....8
Appendices……………………………………………………..8

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Background Information:
Eating healthy is vital because it helps build the stability and physical fitness of the human body
especially in the development of children. However, teachers often complain that students
become lethargic after lunch and therefore less responsive in class discussion. It was investigated
that there is a high intake in greasy foods and sodas for students at lunch. A study of 150
lethargic children found that 90% of them displayed symptoms of narcolepsy, such as excessive
daytime sleepiness, due to the excessive intake of high calorie foods, their bodies struggle to
break down fat, which contributes to them finding it difficult to stay awake for long periods of
time, regardless of the circumstances. It is noted that their body is spending more energy on
digestion rather than simply moving around and feeling energetic. As a result, students that
consume high calorie food at lunch are less hyperactive and is causing lethargy in kids during
class discussion.

- Problem statement: The excessive intake of fast foods (Chicken and Chips, Burger
and Pizza) is causing lethargy in students.

- Research objective: To determine if the consumption of high calorie foods is causing

lethargy in students.

- Methodology:
In order to collect data for this research, I questioned the cafeteria manager at our school,
through the questionnaire method which led to conclusion of approximately 45% of the student
population at our school tend to consume fast foods such as chicken and chips, burger and pizza
for lunch. Only 25% of students choose to buy from the other choices which include sandwiches,
soup, fruits and the days special. I have chosen this method because it explains the aim of the
research better.

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Presentation of Data:

Table showing the frequency of fast foods consumed by grades 1-4

The different grades High Calorie Frequency Percentage/%
foods consumed
by students
Grade 1 Chicken and 15 30
chips, burger and
pizza
Grade 2 Burger, Chicken 20 40
and chips and
pizza
Grade 3 Pizza 5 10

Grade 4 Burger 8 16

None 2 4
Total 50 100

Table showing effects of eating fast foods on students

Effect Frequency

Drowsiness 30

Muscle pain 20

Cyst 15

Sore throat 5

None 2

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Eff ects of eating fast food on students
None
Sore throat 3%
7%

Cyst Drowsiness
21% 42%

Muscle pain
28%

Drowsiness Muscle pain Cyst Sore throat None

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Analysis and Interpretation of data:
Eating a high-calorie diet can have many effects on your body, depending on the type of high-
calorie diet you are consuming. According to the data given, the lower grades (grades 1&2)
consumed approximately 70% of high calorie chicken and chips, burger and pizza. However, the
upper grades (grades 3&4) has a low intake on pizza and burger with 26% of students, while 4%
of students don’t consumed fast foods. The main effect of consuming high calorie foods is
drowsiness with 41%, followed by muscle pain (28%), cyst (21%), and sore throat (7%). The
eating of high calorie also caused 3% of students are not affected by any of the negative effects
listed above.
In my opinion, grades 1&2 students are not aware of the negative effects of the consumption of
fast foods, so they tend to feast on it on a daily basis and not noticing how it is harming their
health. On the other hand, grades 3&4 has the lowest intake of fast foods because they are more
aware of the negative effects of fast foods. From the research done the most widely consumed
fast foods in our school are Chicken and chips, burger and pizza.
The average students consumes three piece chicken and chips with a drink (usually a soda)
which adds to the calorie intake. The fat gained from the consumption of these high calorie foods
is not burned while sitting in class. From the experiment it was determined that one of the many
causes of lethargy in students after lunchtime may be attributed to students on a full-stomach
while sitting in class discussions.

Conclusion:
The average student is consuming more than the daily recommended amount of calories. The
lower grades students are unaware of the effects of eating fast foods. More than 60% of the lower
grades students are consuming above the recommended amount of fast foods on a daily basis.
The high amount of calorie intake in a short period of time is leading to high levels of lethargy in
students.

Recommendations:
The school staff should engage students in healthy food practices and educate the school
population on balance diet. More cooked food should be sold and less processed foods should be
an option. Also, school administrators should introduce a new rule:
Every Wednesday is healthy day. No unhealthy foods and acidic drinks

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Reflection:
I learnt that this investigation has a connection between the high calorie intake and lethargy. I
also learnt that multiple students suffer from drowsiness, headaches, cyst etc., which can cause
problems for them to concentrate in class.
The mere drunk foods we crave on today contains so much calories which can cause heart
diseases, obesity and hypertension. If not for this research, I would still be consuming a lot of
drunk foods and not realizing how badly it can affect my family and me. After this research I
will think twice before buying chicken and chips for lunch.

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Bibliography:
https://www.bythewayhealth.com/10-fatigue-foods-make-tired
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcolepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20375497

Appendix:
HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY
QUESTIONAIRE
THE EFECTS OF HIGHLY-CALORIE FOODS ON STUDENTS BEHAVOUIR

The following are the questions asked to the Cafeteria manager

What is on the menu?

- Cheese patty
- Chicken and chips
- Pizza
- Fruit bowl
- Sandwiches
- Burger
- Soda
- Natural juices ( mango, strawberry-pineapple and orange)
- Water

Which of the options is most bought?

Most students buy Chicken and chips, pizza and burger for lunch. They would buy sodas to
accompany them too.
Why the students don’t eat from the healthier options?
They don’t eat from the healthy options because most students believes that all vegetables are
bitter or it will kill you. Apart from this, they believe that the vegetables should be sweet or taste
like the fries they consume every day. The students are uninform of the benefits of going the
healthy way so they don’t take part in eating healthy.

Thank-you for completing the questionnaire.

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