Nutrition and health predictors of school failure in Jamaican children

Abstract

In many developing countries a large number of children do poorly in school. Little attention has been paid to the possible role of poor health and nutrition. In Kingston, Jamaica all grade 5 children from five randomly selected primary schools, who were failing (n = 158) were compared with all those who were succeeding (n = 167) in a comprehensive number of nutrition, health and socio‐economic variables. Failing children had lower heights‐for‐age, weights‐for‐height, haemoglobin levels and poorer breakfasts. They had higher blood lead levels and were more likely to be ill as well as admitted to hospital for an injury. Failing children came from poorer homes, had fewer school materials and school uniforms. They attended school less and were more likely to be male. Poor health and nutrition contributed significantly to school failure and poor school attendance after controlling for the socio‐economic variables. Nearly all (90%) of the children were correctly placed in their achievement group using discriminant function analysis. Key words: School achievementschool attendancenutritional statusmorbidityhaemoglobin levelsJamaica