Author: Sara Salo

Healthy eating and academic performance

5 Comments

What do wholesome meals and test scores have in common?

Quite a bit, according to public health research. One neat part about managing a blog is that I have access to every search engine query that directs a visitor to my site. I have noticed a remarkable number of Google searches on the topic of healthy eating and academic performance – an encouraging trend! Below, for interested folks, is a quick round-up of research and resources that should help to explicate the relationship between good food and a sharp mind. Enjoy!

  • Journal of American Public Health Association: Hollar, et al concluded that children who participated in an obesity prevention program that included healthy food “had significantly higher math scores”.
  • The American Dietetic Association: Rampersaud, et al. state, “Evidence suggests that breakfast consumption may improve cognitive function related to memory, test grades, and school attendance.”
  • Journal of School Health: Florence, et al. found “an association between diet quality and academic performance.”
  • Reuters: Healthy Diet Means Better School Performance
  • Healthy Eating Research has a long list of additional resources.
  • What about physical activity and academics? According to Leadership for Healthy Communities, test scores increase along with amount of physical activity. Learn more here.

The Oregon Active Transportation Summit

1 Comment

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of bike/walk love at the Summit!

This past rainy Tuesday I stayed dry inside Salem, Oregon’s Conference Center as an Oregon Active Transportation Summit attendee. The AT Summit was convened as an opportunity to assemble advocates of biking, walking and transit together for constructive conversations about how Oregon can continue to be an innovator in active transportation. It was an inspiring day that began with presentations by industry leaders such as Tim Blumenthal of Bikes Belong and state legislators. I attended two break-out sessions on the topic of ‘engaging communities’ that left me with exciting new ideas for promoting healthy transportation. I can’t wait to share these examples with my many eager Tour communities!