Why children who are active, score higher academic marks than inactive children.

by Elenia K Nutritions ©

New research the world over find the connection between active children who exercise more by means of play either at school or in their personal capacity at home and higher academic scores than their more sedentary peers.  At the same time we see children eating a nutritional diet with limited processed and industrialized foods and vastly less sugars in their diet be mentally and physically stronger than children with matching ages who do not follow a similar eating pattern.

It is as easy as understanding what nutrition and physical activity does to the brain. We are always looking at how we look and why. Physical appearances. The clothes we are wanting to wear. How our skin and hair looks. I am including children here too. When I consult with children between the ages of nine and twelve their primary concern is their appearance and not  much else. Not academia, not health. That is reserved for their parents main goals – not theirs. However once I explain to them – parents and children alike what being active and eating right truly does they change their perception. And with good reason.

Why?

When the body is being active this increases heart rate. When the heart rate is imcresase4d more oxygen goes to the brain. With brain oxygenation on a constant basis from activity this changes cell growth of the brain (the hippocampus – the part of the brain responsible for allowing us to learn new things and  contain the ability for good memory). Added, regular exercises aids dopamine which allows for nerve cells to signal other nerve cells. It also aids controlling the release of various hormones. This is especially vital for growing children when we look at their entrance into puberty and adult growth.

Regarding nutrition and the brain we look directly at brain health or illness from food. We already know what bad foods do however I would like to elaborate on what food can do positively to the brain especially that of the growing child. When we look at brain health and see certain foods such as antioxidant , vitamin, protein, mineral rich foods not only do these foods aid healthy brain health and function but they also allow brain growth – allowing brain growth and brain protection from damage and prevention from possible brain illnesses and emotional conditions such as depression etcetera. Eating brain boosting foods supports long and short term brain function by means of nourishing, building and repairing brain cells and reducing cellular stress, inflammation and possible brain disorders and conditions.

WHO has made a number of necessary changes regarding child nutrition namely reducing sugar intakes per grammage, increased consumption of natural fruit and vegetables including vital legumes, grains and nuts, shifting fats from saturated to unsaturated fats and ensuring sufficient natural clean water is consumed regularly.

The organisations also accepted a number of new research regarding child activity and nutrition’s on scholastic averages versus child obesity. This means that the world is seeing the advantages of how activity and good food not only aid a child’s physical growth and development but that of their brains and minds too. No chemical can do what physical activity and good nutrition can do for a child and for adults alike.

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