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 Too much fast food 'harms children's test scores
Eating too much fast food damages children's performance at school, according to research.
Source: Telegraph.co.uk by Graeme Paton Date: 05/23/09
Pupils achieve lower scores in tests after eating takeaway meals such as burgers and chips more than three times a week, it is claimed.
The
findings - in a study of more than 5,500 primary school children - even
apply when parental income, race and pupils' weight is taken into
account.
Some children's scores in literacy and numeracy dropped by up to 16 per cent compared to the average, it was disclosed.
The study provides some of the most conclusive evidence yet of a link between poor diet and academic ability.
It comes amid continuing anxiety over the state of child health in Britain.
One
in three children are currently overweight and consumer groups have
called for stricter controls on junk food advertising on television.
The
sale of fatty and sugary food has already been banned in school
canteens and vending machines following a high-profile campaign by
Jamie Oliver, the TV chef.
But the health drive has led to a sharp drop in the number of under-16s eating at school.
In
the latest study, American academics said schools would have an impact
by making children aware of "the academic consequences of their food
choices".
Researchers
from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee tracked the eating habits of
children aged 10 and 11 - then compared it to performance in reading
and maths tests.
They
found just over half of pupils had eaten at fast food restaurants such
as McDonald's up to three times in the last week. One in 10 had eaten
fast food between four and six times and two per cent visited
restaurants four or more times daily.
In
total, children scored between 58 and 181 points in the reading tests,
gaining an average score of 141.5. But after taking other factors into
account, pupils who ate fast food between four and six times a week
scored almost seven points below average. Children snacking once a day
fell 16 points, while pupils indulging three times a day dropped by 19
points.
Similar
trends were noted in maths. In total, children scored between 47 and
151 points in the test, with average results of 115. But those pupils
eating fast food dropped by between 6.5 and 18.5 points.
Dr
Kerri Tobin, who carried out the study, said it found "statistically
significant relationships between higher than average consumption of
fast food and lowered test scores".
"It
is possible that the types of food served at fast food restaurants
cause cognitive difficulties that result in lower test scores," she
said.
The
study - quoted in the Times Educational Supplement - said results may
be influenced by other factors such as parental interest in children's
work.
"It
is also possible that the tendency to eat fast food results from lower
test scores, rather than resulting in lower test scores," added the
report.
Last
year, the Government-funded School Food Trust recommended banning
children from leaving school at lunchtime to stop them eating junk food.
A
McDonald's spokesman said: "The majority of our customers visit us two
to three times a month. Given this, and the choice and variety on our
menu, there is no question that McDonald's food can fit into a balanced
diet."
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