Mealtime Memo
F O R C H I L D C A R E
2001
National Food Service Management Institute • The University of Mississippi
2001-7
The relationship between nutrition and learning is
important for people who care for children. Cognitive
development is a term that covers human perception,
thinking, and learning. Nutrition, genes, and environment
are three major factors impacting cognitive development.
Because there are many factors that impact learning, sci-
entists cannot say, “If you eat this, you will be smarter.”
However, the role of good nutrition in child development
and learning is important. Nutrition during the early
years of a child’s life is linked to performance in later
years. Many research studies focus on the relationships
between breakfast and learning in school-age
children; other researchers identified
the importance of nutrition at ear-
lier ages. Let’s review some
major research findings link-
ing good nutrition and cog-
nitive development.
Research
• The effect of nutrition on
the brain begins before
birth—with the nutrition of
the mother. Undernutrition and
the resulting negative effects on brain
development during pregnancy and the first
two years of life may be permanent and irreversible.
• Breast-feeding appears to lead to higher IQ/cognitive
development. Breast-feeding leads to fewer cases and
less severe cases of diarrhea, ear infections, skin rashes,
and bacterial meningitis.
• Iron is a necessary part of brain tissue. Nerve impulses
move slower when iron deficiency is present. Iron defi-
ciency during infancy may cause permanent damage to
the child’s brain; however, too much iron can also cause
problems. Iron deficiency during the first two years of a
child’s life is associated with behavior changes and
delayed psychomotor development. Enough, but not too
much, is the key to appropriate iron intake.
• Iodine deficiency during early years is associated with
reduced cognition and achievement in school-age children.
• Poorly nourished children have more
problems fighting infe