Skipping/not taking breakfast affects on student's performance in grade ten - Assignment Example

? Draft of Final Proposal Introduction & Literature Review Introduction Overview Schools going children and mostly those in grade ten are mostly attentive when they join others in the morning from home. In most cases, students become active in the morning which enables them to concentrate and grasp what teachers tells them. This is because they have the energy required to think and react to what the teachers tells. Over the years, researchers and scholars are divided on what attracts student’s attention in the morning when they come from home. Because of the need to answer this question, there are many studies, which have been conducted with the aim of understanding the effects of not taking breakfast among students. However, many studies suggest that students not taking breakfast in the morning affect their participation in schools. Despite many findings leaning on the perception that not taking breakfast affects their participation, some students have proved this notion wrong by performing above their standard without taking breakfast as some literatures reveals. Variables The hypothesis will be confirmed through testing independent variable which is skipping or not taking breakfast among the tenth grade students. Similarly, it will use dependent variables, which concern the rate of participation or performance among the tenth grade students. Aim of the study This study aims at establishing if skipping or not taking breakfast affects the student's performance in grade ten. It will also establish the degree in which taking breakfast or not taking breakfast relates to students performances. Hypothesis In order to determine the aim of this study, it will base on four hypotheses, which will require answers and act as research questions. The following are the hypothesis of the study: 1. Those who have not been taking breakfast and are now taking it should improve their performances or participation. 2. Students who have been taking breakfast and are not taking it now should have dropped performances or participation. 3. Students who have not been taking breakfast and are still not taking it should have no change in terms of participation or performances. 4. Students who have been taking breakfast and are still taking breakfast should show no change in performance or participation. Significance of the study This study will be important to all stakeholders in the education sector towards formulating modalities of improving performances and participation among tenth grade students. Some of the significance includes: 1. Helping in Formulating strategies to improve student’s performances. 2. Pointing at low performances of students. 3. Outlining barriers hindering student’s performances and participation. 4. Increasing knowledge and literature from the case study. 5. Offering recommendations on further research or studies in relation to taking or not taking breakfast and its effects on performance. Summary This chapter gives the overview of the whole study. It provides information on the nature of problem which needs to be studied. It also outlines the variables which are involved in the study and how they will influence the study. Similarly, this chapter will highlight the importance of conducting this study to educational stakeholders. This is through giving recommendations to those concerned on the importance of eating breakfast. Lastly, the chapter will review the existing literatures to align the findings. This will act as a confirmation to what already exist as it will not deviate from previous studies. Literature Review There are a lot of suggestions on the effects of not taking breakfast among students in relation to their performances and participation in schools. Different scholars have done research as well as study in trying to explain the relation. However, they all have diverse findings explaining the effects of not taking breakfast among the school going children on performance and participation. This section will review the existing literature concerning the above area of a study. Harb and Ahmed (2006) conducted a study on the factors affecting the student’s performances. This was because this area has been a subject of debate as many scholars, educators, academicians are not agreeing on the determinants of students performances. Before this study, people thought that among the determinants of student’s performance were associated with parent’s education, previous schooling, hard work, self motivation, or social income of the family. However, these factors only proved to be effective in developed continents such as Europe and USA as it varies across the diverse cultures. The study focused on the cultural aspects that might influence student performances in the UAE society. Similarly, the aim of the study was to investigate the socio-economic characteristics of students who were in the college of business on their performances as it took UAE society into account. The study used a sample of 864 students, and regression analysis showed that the most important factor affecting their performance is competence in English. Similarly, the study found that students who participate in class discussions as well as those on leave performed better than others. Moreover, the study found that other things affecting the student’s performances are absenteeism from lectures and living in crowded households. Other findings revealed that female students’ outperformed male counterparts as non national students also showed higher performances compared with national students. Although the above study did not consider much on the influence of breakfast on the performance of students, Simeon and Grantham (1989) studied the effects of missing breakfast on the cognitive functions of school children of different nutritional status. The study examined the effects of missing breakfast on the cognitive functions of three different groups of children. The three categories included previously malnourished, non-stunted control and stunted. The study was conducted by admitting the groups in a metabolic ward before giving the first half breakfast on their visits. Treatment procedure was reversed, and when breakfast was omitted, the stunted and previously malnourished groups responded in a similar way. Malnourished had a low score as a control group had higher scores in arithmetic. When divided into wasted and non wasted, wasted children were affected in digit span test as wasted members of the malnourished affected in efficiency of solving the problem, as well as those in the control group. From this study, the results indicated that cognitive functions become vulnerable in missing breakfast among the poorly nourished children. This can explain why children who are malnourished perform poorly in schools. There are also other studies, which have explored the roles of increased blood glucose in improving memory function for participants who took breakfast. In a study conducted by Benton and Parker (1998), they found that there was a relation in the level of glucose concentration with the functioning of the subjects. The study also found that fasting in the morning affected the recalling ability of a story read aloud and a word list as well as recalling items when counting reversely. However, failure to take breakfast does not affect intelligence test. The study concluded that taking breakfast affects the subject’s performances in tasks which require memory. The decline in performance associates with not taking breakfast. Taking glucose supplement reverses the loss of memory though not the ability to recall. Therefore, breakfast consumption influences cognitive through many body mechanisms such as increase in blood glucose. In efforts to shed more light on the importance of taking breakfast, Rampersaud, Pereira, Girard, Adams and Metzl (2005) summarized the results of 47 studies, which examined the association of nutritional adequacy and breakfast consumption, body weight and academic performance among children and adolescents. The study revealed that children who took regular breakfast tended to have nutritional profile than those who skipped. Although those who took breakfast consumed more calories, they did not become overweight. Additionally, there are evidences which suggest that taking breakfast improves cognitive function related to memory, school attendance, and test grades. When children take breakfast, they improve on their physical health as well as well-being. This can translate to good performance in school leading to more participation. This study recommended that parent give breakfast to their children or help in exploring schools breakfast program. It also advocated for consumption of healthy breakfast consisting of variety of foods containing fiber, dairy products, and fruits to aid children performances. Other studies have tried to establish the relationship between cognitive performance and breakfast composition. Mahoney, Taylor, Kanarek and Samuel (2005) conducted this comparison using two common USA breakfast foods and no breakfast on cognitive of children. Children consumed two breakfasts once in three weeks, and then one of two breakfasts or no breakfast then completed a cognitive test. Results from 9-10 year old confirmed the previous findings which indicate that consuming breakfast enhances cognitive performances on duties which require processing complex information and visual display. Similarly, the results indicated the different effects of different types of breakfasts. Both boys and girls showed enhanced spatial memory with girls showing improved short term memory upon consumption of oatmeal. Similarly, results with 6-8 years showed younger children having better spatial memory and auditory attention. Oatmeal provides sustained energy source leading to cognitive enhancement compared to ready to eat cereals. From this study, it is very important to observe what children eat for breakfast before going to school. Wesnes, Pincock, Richardson, Helm and Hails (2003) conducted a study and found that breakfast reduces decline in attention and memory in school children in the morning. This study was conducted as a confirmation of the role of breakfast in improving children performances. It began by testing 29 students who had different types of breakfast for four successive days consisting of no breakfast, cereals cheerios, or glucose drink. Prior to breakfast, the study conducted numerous computerized tests of attention after every 30 minutes. The findings were that no breakfast and glucose drink showed a decline in attention and memory. However, the declines were reduced in the other students who took cereals. From this study, there is typical evidence that cereals breakfast is rich in carbohydrates which helps in mental performance in the morning. Over the years, some academicians have focused their studies on the correlation between eating breakfast and school performance and come up with findings which supports the earlier studies. Staub (2009) conducted a study to determine in case there is a positive relationship between eating breakfast before classes and students performances. The study used students who were given memory test of recalling eight words in a sequence they were recited. They then filled survey on the performances in relation to test anxiety, alertness, mood, attention among others. The survey also considered the students who took breakfast as they were asked. The results of the survey showed that taking breakfast has effects on the student’s school performances. Taking breakfast before going to class improves the memories of students. However, the results indicate that taking breakfast before going to school does not have real influence on other components making up school performances. From the above literature review, there are enough and convincing studies which points at the important of taking breakfast. One of the factors which stand out is that taking breakfast before going to class stimulates the memory. This in turn makes the students improve on their performances. However, these findings revolve around improving attention of students who take breakfast. It also links to improving their cognitive as brain needs energy in order to organize information required in improving the performances. Therefore, students who take breakfast before going to class or schools have increased performance and participation rate compared with those who don’t take breakfast. References Benton, D., & Parker, P.Y. (1998). Breakfast, blood glucose, and cognition. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 67 (8), 772S-778S. Harb, N., & Ahmed, E. (2006). Factors Affecting Students' Performance. Journal of Business Education , 82(5), 282-290. Mahoney, C. R., Taylor, H. A., Kanarek R. B. & Samuel, P. (2005). Effect of breakfast composition on cognitive processes in elementary school children, Physiology Behavior 85(5), 635-645 Rampersaud, G. C., Pereira, M. A., Girard, B. L., Adams J., & Metzl, J.D. (2005). Breakfast Habits, Nutritional Status, Body Weight, and Academic Performance in Children and Adolescents. Journal of American Diet association, 105(5), 740-760 Simeon, D. T & Grantham-McGregor, S. (1989). Effects of missing breakfast on the cognitive functions of school children of differing nutritional status. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 49(4), 646-653 Staub, L. M. (2009). The correlation between eating breakfast and school performances. Missouri Western State University. Retrieved on 19th November 2013 from http://clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu/manuscripts/203.php Wesnes K. A., Pincock, C., Richardson, D., Helm, G., & Hails, S. (2003). Breakfast reduces declines in attention and memory over the morning in schoolchildren. Apetite, 41(3), 329- 231 Read More