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Journal of Science and Science Education, Ondo Vol. 3(1), pp. 7 – 9, 19th November, 2012. Available online at http://www.josseo.org ISSN 0795135-3 ©2012
EFFECTS OF MALNUTRITION ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED SECONDARY SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONDO WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT AREA, ONDO STATE 1
1
Olaniyan, R.F *, Adebola, O.T and Sabejeje, T.A 1
1
Department Department of Biology, Adeyemi college of Education, Ed ucation, Ondo
Abstract : This study examines the effects of malnutrition on students’ academic performance using some selected secondary schools in Ondo state as a case study. Information were were obtained through the use of questionnaire, data collected were analyzed using spearman correlation coeff icient. The results indicated there is a relationship between malnutrition and academic performance, based on the findings it was was therefore recommended that the parents/guardians teachers should should give priority attention to the provision of adequate food in terms of quality and quantity to their wards or children in order to help in building up the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains which will enhance their responsiveness to learning and result in improve or better performance.
Introduction Nutrition as one of the essential contributions to good health is therefore a factor worthy of educational concern. Nutrition is the process by which a living organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and replacement of tissues. Nutrition is a phenomenon which affects students’ health and academic performance Glewwe P, Jacob H, King.E (2001). Participation in a school breakfast programme enhanced daily nutrient intake and improvement in students’ academic performance and psychological functioning and decrease in hunger. It has often been stated that malnutrition is one of the world’s most ser ious ious social problems and one of the greater problems responsible for poor academic performance Glewwe P, Jacob H, King.E (2001). Moyses and Collares (1997) conceived hunger as the basic need for food which, when not fulfilled, reduces the availability of any human
being for both the daily and the intellectual activities. However, once that need is fulfilled, all its negative effects cease, without damages. Malnutrition occurs when hunger goes on in such intensity and for such a long period of time that they start to interfere in the body’s energy supply. Dobbing (1972) reported that only in serious malnutrition cases, there are changes in the central nervous system which is responsible for the intellectual functions of the individuals, the brains anatomy test revealed reduction of weight, size, volume, number of cells, amount of myelin, and so on in some individuals. This study therefore examines the effective of malnutrition on students’ academic performance, to provide possible solutions to problems facing students and make recommendations reco mmendations.. Methodology Sampling size and procedure
*Corresponding Author. E-mail: olaniyan4real_06@y o
[email protected] ahoo.com
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Journal of Science and Science Education, Ondo
The study was carried out in Ondo West Local Government Area Ondo State. The study covered four randomly selected secondary schools namely: 1. C.A.C Grammar School, Oka Ondo. 2. St Joseph College, Ondo. 3. Holyflocks of Christ Grammar school, Ondo. 4. St Stephen’s Grammar School, Ondo. Results
Data collection techniques Data were collected using well structured questionnaires to elicit information from the respondents(students),twenty-five (25) questionnaires were administered per school, the total questionnaires administered was one hundred (100), the data collected were analyzed using spearman’s correlation coefficient.
Table 4.1 Research Question 1: State that ‘What is the level of malnutrition among secondary school students. Question 1
X
Y
XY
X 2
Y 2
1.
30
70
2100
900
4900
2.
14
86
1204
196
7396
3.
21
79
1659
441
6241
4.
44
56
2464
1936
3136
5.
51 160
49 340
2499 9926
=
=
=
2601
=
6074
2401
=
27074
r = 0.77 Table 4.2 Research Question 2: State that ‘Does malnutrition has any effects on students’ academic perfor mance’ Question 1
X
Y
XY
X 2
Y 2
6.
75
25
1875
5625
625
7.
55
45
2475
3025
2025
8.
77
23
1771 6121
=
207
=
93
=
5929
=
14579
529
=
3179
r = 0.88 Table 4.3 Research Question 3: States that ‘Will a change in diet have placebo e ffect on students performance’ Question 1
X
Y
XY
X 2
Y 2
9.
39
61
2379
1521
3721
10.
12
88
1056
144
7744
11.
7
93
651 4086
r =0.66
=
58
=
242
=
49
=
8649 1714
=
20114
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Table 4.4 Research Question 4: State that ‘What effect is hunger has on students’ receptivity to learning’ Question 1
X
Y
XY
X 2
Y 2
12.
24
76
1824
576
5776
13.
56
44
2464
3136
1936
14.
75
25
1875
5625
625
15.
81
19
1539
6561
361
16.
82
18
1476 9178
=
318
=
182
=
6724
=
22622
324
=
9022
r = 0.55 Discussion From the Table 4.1 it shows that there is high relationship between the levels of malnutrition among the secondary school students However, this will affect their academic performance to a great extent.
From the Table 4.2 There was a high degree of relationship between the students’ malnutrition level and the students’ performance this show that nutrition has significant effect on students’ performance. From Table4.3 the level of relationship is moderately high that is improvement in diet will have a positive effect on students’ performance. From the Table 4.4 shows that hunger will affect students’ receptivity to learning.
Recommendations 1. The parents/guardians should pay more attention to the food giving to their children as this will have effect on their academic performance. 2. There should be enlightenment programmed given to students by government organization and non-governmental organizations on the havoc that malnutrition can cause on physiological and psychological development. 3. Adequate publicity should be given to students through the mass media on the effects of malnutrition on health. References Dobbing, J (1972): The nervous system and behavior. OPAS.No.251. Glewwe P, Jacob H, King.E (2001): Early childhood Nutrition and Academic achievement A longitudinal Analysis Journal of public Economics. Pages 21-25. Moyses, M.A and Colares, C (1997): Disnutricao e fracas so escolar uma relacao tao simple. Revista Anderson Paulo, 1(5):57-61.
