Eating Habits of Grade 11 Stem Students and Their Academic Performance in Integrated Science IV at Tagaytay City Science National High School: Basis for School-Based Nutrition Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Food has been the primary concern of mankind in its physical environment all throughout recorded history. People must eat to live and what they eat will affect in a high degree their ability to keep well. As Robinson and Lawler stated, "You are what you eat”. Those words are significantly true because healthy eating gives us that beautiful outward glow that comes from being healthy on the inside. Healthy eating is a part of human life as it keeps good cognitive processes. There is a correlation between nutrition and cognition; this relationship has been highly under-researched, but there exist many studies that look at the nutritional benefits of many food substances as they affect learning and brain function. Our schools play vital role in preparing and sustaining our students' potential learning abilities by supplying nutritious snacks during school days.

METHODS

This study employed descriptive-correlational research analyzing the respondents' academic performance in Integrated Science IV, the distinctive eating habits and relationship between the eating habits to academic performance in Integrated Science IV. A self-administered questionnaire was used in conducting the study.

RESULTS

The study revealed that most of the students (36.28%) in terms of academic performance in Science IV are proficient and 15.93% are approaching proficiency. Based on the response of the students, healthy eating habits is often practiced (4x-5x a week). Furthermore, respondents sometimes (3x a week) practiced negative eating habit. This study highlighted the relationship between the eating habits of the respondents and their academic performance in Integrated Science IV and as a result, there is high positive correlation between eating habits of Grade 11 STEM students and their academic performance in Integrated Science IV according on the computed value which is 0.722.

DISCUSSIONS

Majority of the respondents are Proficient (P) in Science IV. Students at this level have developed the fundamental knowledge, skills and core understandings. Respondents confirmed that based on the distinctive eating habits they often practice healthy eating habits, while on the other hand they sometimes do the negative eating habits. This is a good indicator that the respondents who are in the young generation have great value in healthy eating habits. This study shows that there is significant relationship exists between students' eating habits and academic performance in Integrated Science IV.