The Effects of Diet and Exercise on Elementary Classroom Behavior and Performance

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a mixed-method case study concerning the role that diet and exercise have in the academic lives of elementary students. The research explored the daily diet and exercise habits of eighteen fourth grade students. The students recorded their habits on individual daily tracker charts for a two-week period. During this same time frame, observations were made throughout the school day to note the student’s behavior and performance in the classroom. Following the two-week tracking period, six students and their parents were interviewed in order to provide further insight into the effects of the diet and exercise habits of the selected students. In this study I found that fourth grade students are still too young to have much knowledge of the effects that diet and exercise have on their ability to focus and perform in the classroom. In general, fourth-graders who are athletic and good eaters are able to remain focused and attentive in the classroom, which in turn leads to academic success. Most parents are aware of the fact that their children’s diet and exercise habits influence their academic lives; however, this knowledge is not always applied when they prepare meals for their children. The paper concludes with recommendations for parents, teachers, and students about ways to support healthy diet and exercise habits in elementary students, in order to promote academic excellence at a young age.