
The role of nutrition can't be underestimated relative to a child's health, even before life begins outside the womb. So just how early on can nutrition impact on later health?
Numerous studies have shown that proper maternal nutrient intake affects the health of infants, and can follow them right into adulthood by carving out a path toward disease prevention.
Besides disease prevention, an adequate intake of proper nutrients can have positive effects on mental health, behavior and cognitive function of children. The emergence of school breakfast programs to promote better academic performance through good nutrition bears witness to the fact that food fuels the brain. According to the American Dietetic Association, kids who eat breakfast learn better, are more alert and attentive in class, and more likely to participate in activities. A study that analyzed how an improved diet might help academic performance found that a daily vitamin-mineral supplement raised children's IQ and non-verbal intelligence, which is closely related to academic performance.
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