How

Does Hunger and

Nutri1on Eect Students?

Causes of Malnourishment
Poverty
Food Insecurity an inability to access, at all
1mes, enough food for an ac1ve, healthy
life.(2012, p.94)
Social inuences media, stereotypes and
family.
Development

What do Teachers See in the Classroom?

Decreased ac1vity levels, social interac1ons, curiosity and
cogni1ve func1oning.
Dehydrated students will experience fa1gue, dizziness, poor
concentra1on and reduced cogni1ve abili1esalso eect
exercise tolerance. Students who are dehydrated tend to feel
1red during exercise and avoid ac1vity.

What Do Teachers See in the Classroom?

Increased errors and slower memory recall
Behavioural, emo1onal and academic problems.
More likely to be hyperac1ve, absent and tardy

What can we do?

Be a good role model

Have students keep a water boXle at their desk.
Encourage healthy ea1ng
Teach students how to make healthy choices
but be respecYul and posi1ve
Get support from your school
Integrate nutri1on educa1on across subject
areas.
Reect the schools cultural diversity
Work with parents and communi1es

Get the Students Involved!

Educa1on what do they want to learn
about?
Volunteer
Contac1ng people in places on power who can
help.
The voice of the children has power!
Plant a garden!

What is Being Done to Fight Hunger

and Nutri1on in Schools?
Snack, Breakfast and Lunch Programs
- Eec1ve in educa1on, socializa1on, community and
allevia1ng pressure on families.
- Ineec1ve in that many families do not par1cipate due
to s1gma, perceived costs, not wishing to give up
responsibility of children's needs.
- Promote student involvement in the crea1on of the
program.
- How about including it as a part of the school day?
Instead of something that happens early, before class.

What is Being Done to Fight Hunger

and Nutri1on in Schools?
Educa1on Programs
- Teach age appropriate concepts this will
increase student interest.
- Teach relevant informa1on based on
community needs.
- Meet kids needs at home, school and play

What Should Our Students be Ea1ng?

Good Fats since the brain is 60% fat in order to keep
the cells exible we need to consume enough of the
good fats. Avoid trans and saturated fats.
Protein healthy from nuts, meat, yogurt
Carbohydrates - Energy for the brain! Complex carbs
from whole grain products.
Micronutrients vitamins and minerals. Fruits and
Veggies!!!!!
Water Enhances circula1on and removes waste.
Dehydra1on can dras1cally aect a students ability to
learn.

Nutri1on Tools for Schools

hXp://nutri1ontoolsforschools.ca/guide/in-
the-classroom
Lesson plans
Promo1ng Posi1ve Nutri1on Guide
Posi1ve Role Modeling Ac1on Guide
Healthy Ea1ng based on dierent grade levels
The Balanced Approach

Something to Think About

It was interes1ng, I could nd lots of
informa1on on Hunger in the USA and all over
the world but very liXle informa1on on
Canadian hunger.

Ques1ons to Ponder
Have you experienced hunger or malnutri1on
in your prac1cum classrooms? If so what did it
look like? What did you do?
Did your prac1cum school oer a snack,
breakfast or lunch program? Was it used?
What is your opinion on why or why not?
Are there any other programs you have seen
that are eec1ve?

Resources
hXp://www.nfsmi.org/documentlibraryles/pdf/20080612091850.pdf
hXp://www.healthybrainforlife.com/ar1cles/school-health-and-nutri1on/
feeding-the-brain-for-academic-success-how
hXp://frac.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/
breakfasYorlearning1.pdf
hXp://www.nutri1onforlearning.ca/
hXp://nutri1ontoolsforschools.ca/guide/in-the-classroom
Mark, Lambert, OLaughlin, Gray Donald. (2012). Household Income, Food
Insecurity and Nutri1on in Canadian Youth. Canadian Journal of Public
Health. 103 (2). pp. 94-99. Retrieved from
hXp://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.viu.ca/stable/41995717?pq-
origsite=summon&seq=3#page_scan_tab_contents
Spencer, Rehman, Kirk. (2015) Understanding Gender Norms, Nutri1on,
and physical ac1vity in adolescent girls: a scoping review. Interna1on
Journal of Behavioural Nutr1on and Physical Ac1vity. 12 (1). pp. 6-23.

Resources

Pancharovski, A. (2009). The School Based Breakfast program: Can it posi1viely

inuence adolsecent food choices at other meals?. Protest Disserta1ons and These
Global. Retrieved from
hXp://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.viu.ca/docview/305061852?pq-
origsite=summon&accoun1d=12246
hXp://www.teachnutri1on.ca/
hXp://hungerinourschools.org/img/NKH-HungerInOurSchoolsReport-2015.pdf
hXp://www.nokidhungry.org/addi1ons/educators
hXp://www.kidscanmakeadierence.org/what-kids-can-do-2