Nutritional Status and the Academic Performance of the Grade 3 Pupils in Sinala Elementary School: Basis for Strengthened Feeding Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) is one of the major strategies of the Department of Education (DepEd), through the Health and Nutrition Center (HNC), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD with specific objectives of improving access, stabilizing attendance, increasing enrollment, reducing dropout and repetition and alleviating short-term hunger for better academic performance. This study investigated the nutritional status and the academic performance of the twenty-seven (27) Grade III pupils in Sinala Elementary School as a basis for strengthening the feeding program of the school.

METHODS

A researcher-made questionnaire was designed for the respondents and the use of data-based materials to collect data to document appropriateness and availability for provision of adequate nutrition, the health status of children and their academic performance in which the result could be used as a basis for strengthening the feeding program of the school. This study is a descriptive research explaining certain phenomena/situations in the school such as health status. Average weighted mean has been used as the statistical approach in interpreting the data of the questionnaire. After the collection of instruments, they were examined for completeness, comprehensiveness, consistency, and reliability. After analyzing the data, it is found that there is a significant relationship between the nutritional status and academic performance of Grade III pupils.

RESULTS

From the research findings, it is therefore clear that pupils' nutritional plays a significant role in their academic performance. As seen in the result, pupils who were undernourished had a poor performance in class as was observed in three examinations. Nevertheless, it is evident that there was a significant improvement in their obtained mean percentage score. Other than the nutritional status, other factors such as the daily habit of pupils, hygiene practices and their environment are considered to be the contributors that hinder the teaching-learning process.

DISCUSSIONS

From the result of the study that there is an association between the nutritional status of the pupils and their academic performance, it is essential therefore to lessen the incidence of undernourishment among school children to improve their academic achievements.