Students would perform better academically and schools would save money if the issues of poor nutrition and physical inactivity were dealt with more effectively, concludes a report released last week by the Skokie, Ill.-based Action for Healthy Kids.
鈥淭he Learning Connection: The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools鈥� is scheduled to be online this week from the .
The report suggests that students reach higher achievement levels if they take part in some form of regular physical activity, because it lowers stress and anxiety and increases self-esteem.
In addition, it says, students who are overweight, are inactive, and have poor eating habits tend to miss school more often than their healthier peers because they are more likely to get sick or have social or psychological problems. The report estimates that such absenteeism costs an urban school district such as New York City up to $28 million a year.
