Olaniyan et al 7

Journal of Science and Science Education, Ondo Vol. 3(1), pp. 7 – 9, 19th November, 2012.
Available online at http://www.josseo.org
ISSN 0795135-3 ©2012

EFFECTS OF MALNUTRITION ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC

PERFORMANCE
A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ONDO WEST
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ONDO STATE

Olaniyan, R.F1*, Adebola, O.T1 and Sabejeje, T.A1

1
Department of Biology, Adeyemi college of Education, Ondo

Abstract: This study examines the effects of malnutrition on students’ academic

performance using some selected secondary schools in Ondo state as a case
study. Information were obtained through the use of questionnaire, data
collected were analyzed using spearman correlation coefficient. The results
indicated there is a relationship between malnutrition and academic
performance, based on the findings it was therefore recommended that the
parents/guardians teachers should give priority attention to the provision of
adequate food in terms of quality and quantity to their wards or children in
order to help in building up the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains
which will enhance their responsiveness to learning and result in improve or
better performance.

Introduction being for both the daily and the intellectual

Nutrition as one of the essential contributions
to good health is therefore a factor worthy of
educational concern. Nutrition is the process by
which a living organism assimilates food and uses
it for growth and replacement of tissues. Nutrition
is a phenomenon which affects students’ health
and academic performance Glewwe P, Jacob H,
King.E (2001). Participation in a school breakfast
programme enhanced daily nutrient intake and
improvement in students’ academic performance
and psychological functioning and decrease in
hunger. It has often been stated that malnutrition
is one of the world’s most serious social problems
and one of the greater problems responsible for
poor academic performance Glewwe P, Jacob H,
King.E (2001).
Moyses and Collares (1997) conceived hunger
as the basic need for food which, when not
fulfilled, reduces the availability of any human
activities. However, once that need is fulfilled, all
its negative effects cease, without damages.
Malnutrition occurs when hunger goes on in such
intensity and for such a long period of time that
they start to interfere in the body’s energy supply.
Dobbing (1972) reported that only in serious
malnutrition cases, there are changes in the central
nervous system which is responsible for the
intellectual functions of the individuals, the brains
anatomy test revealed reduction of weight, size,
volume, number of cells, amount of myelin, and
so on in some individuals.
This study therefore examines the effective of
malnutrition on students’ academic performance,
to provide possible solutions to problems facing
students and make recommendations.
Methodology
Sampling size and procedure

*Corresponding Author. E-mail: olaniyan4real_06@yahoo.com

8 Journal of Science and Science Education, Ondo

The study was carried out in Ondo West Local

Government Area Ondo State.
The study covered four randomly selected
secondary schools namely:
1. C.A.C Grammar School, Oka Ondo.
2. St Joseph College, Ondo.
3. Holyflocks of Christ Grammar school,
Ondo.
4. St Stephen’s Grammar School, Ondo.
Results
Data collection techniques
Data were collected using well structured
questionnaires to elicit information from the
respondents(students),twenty-five (25)
questionnaires were administered per school, the
total questionnaires administered was one hundred
(100), the data collected were analyzed using
spearman’s correlation coefficient.

Table 4.1
Research Question 1:State that ‘What is the level of malnutrition among secondary school students.

Question 1 X Y XY X2 Y2
1. 30 70 2100 900 4900
2. 14 86 1204 196 7396
3. 21 79 1659 441 6241
4. 44 56 2464 1936 3136
5. 51 49 2499 2601 2401
𝑿 = 160 𝒀 = 340 𝑿𝒀 = 9926 𝑿𝟐 = 6074 𝒀𝟐 = 27074
r= 0.77

Table 4.2
Research Question 2: State that ‘Does malnutrition has any effects on students’ academic performance’

Question 1 X Y XY X2 Y2
6. 75 25 1875 5625 625
7. 55 45 2475 3025 2025
8. 77 23 1771 5929 529
𝑿 = 207 𝒀 = 93 𝑿𝒀 = 6121 𝟐 𝟐
𝑿 = 14579 𝒀 = 3179
r= 0.88

Table 4.3
Research Question 3: States that ‘Will a change in diet have placebo effect on students performance’

Question 1 X Y XY X2 Y2
9. 39 61 2379 1521 3721
10. 12 88 1056 144 7744
11. 7 93 651 49 8649
𝑿 = 58 𝒀 = 242 𝑿𝒀 = 4086 𝟐 𝟐
𝑿 = 1714 𝒀 = 20114
r=0.66
 Olaniyan et al 9

Table 4.4
Research Question 4: State that ‘What effect is hunger has on students’ receptivity to learning’

Question 1 X Y XY X2 Y2
12. 24 76 1824 576 5776
13. 56 44 2464 3136 1936
14. 75 25 1875 5625 625
15. 81 19 1539 6561 361
16. 82 18 1476 6724 324
𝑿 = 318 𝒀 = 182 𝑿𝒀 = 9178 𝑿𝟐 = 22622 𝒀𝟐 = 9022
r= 0.55

Discussion
From the Table 4.1 it shows that there is high
relationship between the levels of malnutrition
among the secondary school students However,
this will affect their academic performance to a
great extent.
From the Table 4.2 There was a high degree of
relationship between the students’ malnutrition
level and the students’ performance this show that
nutrition has significant effect on students’
performance.
From Table4.3 the level of relationship is
moderately high that is improvement in diet will
have a positive effect on students’ performance.
From the Table 4.4 shows that hunger will affect
students’ receptivity to learning.
Recommendations
1. The parents/guardians should pay more
attention to the food giving to their children as
this will have effect on their academic
performance.
2. There should be enlightenment programmed
given to students by government organization
and non-governmental organizations on the
havoc that malnutrition can cause on
physiological and psychological development.
3. Adequate publicity should be given to students
through the mass media on the effects of
malnutrition on health.
References
Dobbing, J (1972): The nervous system and behavior.
OPAS.No.251.
Glewwe P, Jacob H, King.E (2001): Early childhood
Nutrition and Academic achievement A
longitudinal Analysis Journal of public
Economics. Pages 21-25.
Moyses, M.A and Colares, C (1997): Disnutricao e
fracas so escolar uma relacao tao simple. Revista
Anderson Paulo, 1(5):57-61.