EFFECT OF INADEQUATE DIET ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOL IN ATISBO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background Of The Study

According to the EFA Global Monitoring Report (UNESCO 2022), more than a quarter of children in sub-Saharan Africa under the age of fifteen are underweight as a result of a poor diet and malnutrition. This makes them more susceptible to sickness and less able to focus in class. Malnutrition is a condition that is typically characterized as a chronic condition that is the result of either an excessive or insufficient intake of one or more necessary macro or micro nutrients in comparison to the individual's physiological and pathological needs (Ecker and Nene, 2020). inadequate diet is another potentially fatal illness that arises when the body does not have sufficient amounts of the nutrients it needs to perform normally. A lack of food or an imbalanced diet that is lacking or deficient in one or more nutrients may both contribute to poor nutrition (Chinyoka and Naidu, 2019). It is possible that pupils who do not get the recommended daily levels of essential nutrients, such as calcium, potassium, and vitamin C, would be unable to perform up to their full capacity in school (Nabarro et al. 2017). According to research conducted by Connell (2016), only 14 percent of children who were born at a normal weight experienced the same outcomes as children who were born at a low birth weight, with 34 percent of children born at a low birth weight having to repeat grades or be placed in special education classrooms. 

According to the findings of another piece of study, increased rates of grade repetition may be attributed to low birth weight caused by inadequate nutrition (Duncan et al., 2018). It will be easier for families to ensure that their children are receiving a sufficient diet if they have a better understanding of how inadequacies in nutrition might affect a person's ability to study. This demonstrates that proper nutrition is of the utmost significance in terms of the academic performance of seventh-grade students. According to Shrestha and Pathak (2021) as well as Brauw et al. (2017), it was previously believed that underfeeding in children was exclusively responsible for causing irreversible structural damage to the brain, which would impede mental development. During the first three years of a child's life, the brain is undergoing fast development. This development is characterized by the creation of neurons, synaptogenesis, axonal and dendritic growth, and synaptic pruning. Each of these processes builds upon the previous one (Orazem et al., 2017). 

Any disturbance in this process, such as trauma, stress, undernutrition, or a shortage of nutrients, may have long-term repercussions not just on the structure of the brain, but also on the child's social-emotional development and academic performance. Therefore, studies have shown that childhood malnutrition might have a negative impact on a person's intellectual development in adulthood (Lacour & Tissington 2019). In light of the information presented above, it should go without saying that children of any age should not be subjected to malnutrition since it has a negative impact on both their academic performance and their overall development. Therefore this study examines Effect of inadequate diet on students academic performance in secondary school in Atisbo local government area of Oyo state

Statement of the problem

Despite high levels of commitment in the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other initiatives, the majority of developing countries, including Nigeria, are likely to fail in achieving their goals related to diet, despite the fact that there is a significant amount of variation in the nutritional achievements of different countries (Stevens et al, 2021).

In contrast to their counterparts from other places, the academic performance of children in the Atisbo local government area in Oyo State has not improved much over the last couple of years. This is in contrast to the dramatic improvement shown in other locations. The researcher has therefore begun the study to establish the root cause of this downward trend in diet and how it affects the academic performance of students and to come up with remedial measures to curb the trend that education standards are taking in this geographical area. As a result, the researcher has embarked on the study to establish the root cause of this downward trend in diet and how it affects the academic performance of students (Orazem et al., 2017). Hence the study will look into the effect of inadequate diet on students academic performance in secondary school in Atisbo local government area of Oyo state.

1.3 Purpose of the study

The general purpose of the study is to examine the effect of inadequate diet on students academic performance in secondary school in Atisbo local government area of Oyo state. The specific objectives is as follows

1. To asses the factors that contribute to the inadequate diet of secondary school students. 

2 How does the adequate diet contribute to the academic performance of secondary school students. 

3. To established effects of inadequate diet on the academic performance of secondary school students.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study

What are the factors that contribute to the inadequate diet of secondary school students ?

How does the adequate diet contribute to the academic performance of secondary school students ? 

What is the effects of inadequate diet on the academic performance of secondary school students ?

1.5 Scope of the study and delimitation

This study will  asses the factors that contribute to the inadequate diet of secondary school students. The study will also find out how does the adequate diet contribute to the academic performance of secondary school students.  Lastly, the study will established effects of inadequate diet on the academic performance of secondary school students. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced. The study will be delimited to Atisbo local government area Oyo State.

1.6 Significance Of The Study

The study will be significant to the school management as it will expose them to the need of including the study of nutrition and diet to academic calender, it will also be of benefit to students as it will expose them to the importance of having the right diet in other to perform excellently in their studies.

The study will be significant to the academic community community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

1.7 Definition Of Terms

Inadequate diet: an inadequate supply of essential nutrients (as vitamins and minerals) in the diet resulting in malnutrition or disease.

Academic performance: the measurement of student achievement across various academic subjects