Nutritional status and its effect on academic performance among school going children in different areas of district Kasur
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Date
2025
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UMT, Lahore
Abstract
Malnutrition is a global health issue particularly in developing countries like Pakistan. Children and young adults are the most vulnerable population effected by malnutrition. As their nutritional needs increases with time therefore right food choices play a crucial role. Children with poor nutritional status are more likely to face negative academic outcomes. In this context, the current study was designed to assess the nutritional status of school-going children aged 9 to 15 years in various areas of District Kasur, where limited research has been conducted previously. A total of 384 students were selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect information on the intake of various food items. The participants were categorized based on Z-scores for weight-for-age and BMI-for-age. All the questions revealed a significant association with participant’s weight and BMI. The collected data were then used to assess their academic performance through a standardized test and school examination records, in order to evaluate the impact of dietary habits on academic output. The results revealed that children with normal weight and healthy BMI scored highest in the test compared to undernourished or overweight peers. While no effect of gender on academic performance was observed. The present study highlights the need for school-based nutrition programs and public health interventions to improve both health and educational outcomes. It also serves as a foundation for future research from a broader perspective, focusing on the role of specific nutrients and potential confounding factors.