Health, Academic Achievement and School-Based Interventions

Abstract

There is a statistically significant relationship between health and academic achievement. Research evidence shows that children who are healthy are at a low risk for school problems than students who are unhealthy. Students with good health tend to perform better in school than those with poor health. Problems that emanate from poor health include a higher probability of school failure, poor levels of concentration, grade retention and dropout. However, health is a complex and elusive concept and its definition is often shrouded by assumptions and limitations. Therefore, the relationship between health and student achievement is often complex. The concept of health has been evolving over time, cutting across multiple disciplines. Of late, there has been a focus on achieving not only health but total well-being. Schools have been challenged to promote student health by providing favourable environments, policies, support services and information-based interventions. Schools should develop integrated health interventions because of their proven effectiveness in promoting healthy lifestyles among students. This chapter critically examines the concept of health and establishes the connection between health and achievement. The chapter also proposes health interventions that are effective in influencing academic achievement.

Increased Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Higher Efficacy Beliefs Are Associated with Better Academic Achievement: A Longitudinal Study of High School Adolescents in Lebanon

“…Academic performance is associated with several different factors, including non-modifiable factors such as genetic predisposition [ 20 ], and partially modifiable factors such as lifestyle and motivational factors [ 21 ]. In the present study, the focus is on changeable determinants of academic achievement as they can be targeted and improved in tailored interventions to foster future academic achievement.…”

Using Local School Wellness Policies to Build a Culture of Health for Students With Chronic Health Conditions: The School Nurse Role

“…A key strategy to build and sustain a culture of health related to positive academic outcomes in schools is having school wellness policies in place that includes supplemental language to address chronic health conditions (CDC, 2021; Matingwina, 2018).…”

Health Practices and Classroom Engagement of Minority Pupils in the Southern Philippines

“…It will specifically explore the relationship between health practices and classroom engagement. The construct of classroom engagement is different from academic achievement; it is a multifaceted construct that refers to the meaningful involvement of the learners (Martin & Torres, 2016) throughout the classroom. Aside from the general perception on the inadequacy on health awareness as a societal issue that demands an appropriate response, this study is different from the previous studies in the aspect that it will attempt to focus on the context of a group of minority learners which have not been well explored in the research.…”