Summary of the Articles
Clark (1982), in the article “Nutrition and Learning” argues that nutrition is vital to educators. There are detrimental impacts as a result of deficiencies in nutrition. Her main argument is that changing the learning behaviors of children by changing their diets may result in a breakthrough in treating learning disorders. The article uses a boy named Willis as an example to illustrate a typical problem learner. Willis had behavioral and health problems. He is a hyperactive child and performs poorly in school. In addition, he is dyslexic; therefore, he experiences difficulties in reading. Also, he is a slow worker and has a short concentration span.
Willis does not usually have healthy meals, and his nutritional intake is very low. Willis and others like him are receiving assistance in school by changing their nutritional intake and eating habits. For instance, taking vitamin supplements, having a carbohydrate control program and eating snacks and means that have high-quality proteins. Because of the diet change, Willis has improved markedly in school. He has better grades and is even able to read with minimum difficulties. This demonstrates that nutrition is vital to educators.
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Clark (1982) contends that mental illnesses can be treated and prevented by providing the human body with correct balances of minerals and vitamins. Dr Allan Cott has treated many autistic and schizophrenic children with large vitamin doses, and there has been significant learning improvement in them (Clark, 1982). Clark (1982) also notes that nutrition affects intelligence. A study carried out on pregnant women revealed that women who take vitamins during pregnancy, as well as lactation, give birth to children with very high intelligence levels. Even though vitamins are vital in learning, proteins are also essential. Pregnant women who do not consume enough proteins may give birth to children with brain damage. As a result, such children perform poorly in school. Overall, malnutrition during the early period of life dramatically affects brain development.
According to Clark (1982), many children in America suffer from protein deficiency. Protein is vital as it maintains the blood sugar level. Lack of proteins and a stable sugar level may lead to health, behavior and learning problems. The author of the article concludes by saying that adequate nutrition is fundamental to the proper growth of the body. More specifically, learning development in a child heavily relies on brain development. Therefore, adequate nutrition intake is essential for brain development.
Pertz & Putnam (1982) in the article “An Examination of the Relationship between Nutrition and Learning” are mainly concerned about how malnutrition affects the academic achievement of children. They claim that malnutrition children are less likely to attain their academic potential as compared to children who are well nourished. Markedly, there exist direct and indirect relationships between learning and nutrition (Pertz & Putnam, 1982). A direct link is where diet directly impacts the central nervous system development. An indirect connection, on the other hand, is one in which nutrition affects the ability of the body to utilize its innate ability to learn.
In the indirect relationship, food supplies the energy for learning. Eating breakfast that is highly nutritious results leads to the improved attention of students in the performance of late morning tasks. In addition, in early life, deficits in caloric intake results in activity reduction such as less verbalizing, less play with peers, as well as less sensory stimulation (Pertz & Putnam, 1982). As such, such children are not ready to learn. In fact, low sensory stimulation level in school years and the lack of attention may result in an intellectual deficit.
Further, poor nutrition heightens absenteeism since it decreases the capacity of the body to resist infections. Also, the lack of iron in the body affects learning; it leads to reading disability. Pertz & Putnam (1982) also claim that food allergies impact education. For instance, a child suffering from rashes, hives, or asthma can have low attention to the learning task. Moreover, some food products such as artificial colorings, food additives, and sugar increase hyperactivity in children which may hinder learning. Pertz & Putnam (1982) claim that personal variances may cause some problems in learning in metabolism which leads to difficulty in utilizing nutrients. Such deficiencies require not only diet alterations, but also medical examinations.
On the other hand, direct relationships indicate that lack of proteins results in children who have less ability to learn. Further, they have a poorer development of language and lower intelligence quotients than children who are deprived of protein. Also, general malnutrition and is associated with poor school achievement and intellectual development. Pertz & Putnam (1982) also emphasize that diet impacts visual acuity which is almost similar to reading ability.
Pertz & Putnam (1982) also talk about the impacts of early and prolonged nutritional deprivation. Herein, the magnitude of the impacts of nutritional development is positively correlated with its severity and duration. It is also connected to the developmental period during which the nutritional deprivation happens. Also, nutrition deprivation during the early months of postnatal development is detrimental to the child as it affects cognitive development.
Critique of the Articles.
The article “Nutrition and Learning” by Clark (1982) produces a convincing argument that deficiencies in nutrition results in learning disorders. The author first provides an example of a typical problem learner who was treated by changing his nutritional intake and eating habits. The change in diet remarkably improved his school performance. Therefore, the main strength of this article is that it uses a suitable example to explain how nutrition can affect learning.
Second, then article uses research materials from other authors to back up her claims. In other words, the article uses empirical research to demonstrate how nutrition can affect learning in children. Thus, the material is useful and applicable because it contains quality information. However, the article has some weaknesses as well. First, the article was written many years ago; therefore, it does not provide up to date information. Secondly, it uses empirical evidence from the past and finally, it does not give a list of recommendations to parents and educators.
The article “An Examination of the Relationship between Nutrition and Learning” by Pertz & Putnam (1982) also has some strengths and weaknesses. First, the article presents a logical flow of arguments that are convincing to the reader. It logically provides explanations of how poor nutrition affects the academic potential of children. Second, it acknowledges the existence of direct and indirect relationships between learning and diet, and it further provides evidence to support this claim. Third, it uses empirical evidence and research from other professionals to make convincing arguments. Finally, it gives a definite course of action for educators.
Despite its strengths, it also has weaknesses as well. First, it uses research information from the past thus questioning its reliability. Secondly, it only consulted studies that were carried out in countries with extremely deprived populations. For reliability purposes, it should have also consulted studies in affluent nations.
Personal Reaction
Both articles are convincing and provide logical arguments concerning the relationship between nutrition and learning. They both offer adequate empirical evidence and suitable examples to support their claims. Also, they both contain easy to identify information; thus, it is easy for readers to relate to the articles. The information is well organized; thus, it is easy for one to read without difficulties. Generally, the main issue that both articles raise is the effects of nutrition on learning. Vitamins, Irons and Proteins are all vital to brain development which consequently affect learning (Clark, 1982; Pertz & Putnam, 1982). Overall, both articles have provided enough convincing arguments to emphasize the importance of nutrition and education; hence, they are useful research materials for educators and other professionals.
Application
The articles have provided adequate information that relates to my experience. For example, I have seen many parents including my parents, avoiding giving children too much sugar because it increases hyperactivity levels. Also, many children are not allowed to eat candy at night because they will be hyperactive hence they will have troubles sleeping. More specifically, children who eat a lot of candies perform poorly at school. In addition, healthcare practitioners recommend vitamins for pregnant women. I have seen several pregnant women taking vitamins to increase the intelligence levels of children. Further, schools have now started offering nutrition education in the curriculum. Overall, the research has provided me with enough information that would impact my future, for instance, recommending proper nutrition intake to children and pregnant women.
References
Pertz, D. L., & Putnam, L. R. (1982). An Examination of the Relationship between Nutrition and Learning. 35 (6), 702-706. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/20198075
Clark, R. M. (1982). Nutrition and Learning. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 55 (7), 300-304. doi:10.1080/00098655.1982.10113682
