LINKING NUTRITIONAL HEALTH TO LEARNING OUTCOMES: THE CASE OF KANDAHAR PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN BAUCHI

The research study was carried out in Kandahar Community in Bauchi Metropolis on assessing the relationship between nutritional status and academic performance among primary 3 pupils. The main objective of this study was to determine the relationship between nutritional status and academic performance among primary 3 pupils in Kandahar Primary School in MajiDadi B ward in Bauchi metropolis. Kandahar ward was purposely selected because the area is known for poor academic achievement among primary school pupils year after year. The school record of academic performance of the children was obtained with the help of three assistant. Other socio-demographics used were sex where the female and male ratio was 60%:40% and age of the pupils. The research design used in this study was a correlational research design. The total number of primary 3 school pupils used in this study was 200. From this population, sample of 50 primary 3 pupils representing 25% of the target population was used in this study, based on simple random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection used in the study was measuring or attitude scale using height and weight of the children. Simple percentage and Pearson product moment correlation coefficient were used for analyzing the research questions. The result revealed that 30 males and 20 females were assessed and summary of the outcome shows that, 50 % have normal growth pattern 30% are moderately stunted. It also reveals that children within the age of 810 years are mostly affected. The finding in this study also reveals a strong relationship between nutritional status and academic performance of children which implies poor state of undernutrition among the pupils who by these findings are liable to poor health outcome and compromise cognitive abilities. Improving the socio-economic statu s of parents will lend a helping hand in the academic performance of the students. Since balanced diet is associated with better academic and intellectual performance, which must be emphasized particularly to parents through health education. This calls for quick intervention measures on the side of the government and other stakeholder