EATING HABIT AS A DETERMINING FACTOR FOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IKENNE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

ABSTRACT: The study examined Eating Habit As A Determinant Of Academic Performance Among Secondary School Students In Ikenne Local Government Area. More specifically, the study sought to assess the eating habits and academic performance among secondary school students. The study emphasizes on the problem which sees that most students in our secondary schools today are unable to eat healthily due to the time of their classes. The study comprises of students in senior secondary school classes two and three (SS2 and SS3), random sampling technique was use to pick the respondents of these classes and 187 senior secondary school students were selected in Ishanbi Comprehensive High School. The sample size was determined using Solvin (1960) sample size formula. 180 respondents duly participated in the survey. A well- developed questionnaire was designed to elicit information from the respondents. The items of measurement will was rated on a 5-point Likert type scale which ranks responses on a scale of strongly agree (5) to strongly disagree (1). The data analysis used for the study was carried out in two stages: the descriptive and inferential analysis. Result from the study indicated that the variants of eating habit in terms of breakfast consumption, water consumption, late-night eating and consumption of healthy meals have significant impact on the academic performance of students, Furthermore, it was also found that gender moderates the influence of eating habit on the academic performance of students, it also indicated that late night eating affect the sleeping pattern of students. Also, it was found that good eating habit promotes students’ physical wellness and academic performance, and eating healthy diets strengthens students’ intellectual development. Base on this, the study advised that parents/schools should ensures that their children/students take nutritious meals as breakfast before coming to school, and Schools should make sure students are enlightened and advised to consume a lot of water, at least 1 liter per day to improve students concentration during teaching sessions.