Healthy lunches and active play: the secret to better Maths scores?

The multidisciplinary study, led by Professor Onno van Schayck, followed over 2,200 pupils across eight primary schools in South Limburg. The results were striking: children who received a nutritious lunch and participated in additional physical education sessions showed marked improvements in their maths skills within just one year.

"We were genuinely surprised by the speed of the effect," Bo van Engelen, first author and PhD student of the project,  commented. "While we anticipated some improvement, the rapid and distinct progress in mathematics was unexpected."

The research team analysed data from a previous study conducted between 2015 and 2020. Two schools implemented both healthy lunches and increased physical activity, two focused solely on increased exercise, and four maintained their usual routines.

Notably, the study found that pupils who benefited from both improved nutrition and increased physical activity significantly outperformed their peers in maths tests. However, no significant differences were observed in language skills, which researchers attribute to the possible greater influence of home environments on language development.

The cost of providing healthy lunches and additional physical education is approximately €1.75 per child per day. Schools participating in the programme report increased alertness and improved overall academic performance among students.

In light of these findings, van Schayck is advocating for wider implementation of healthy lunch programmes in schools across the Netherlands. He is calling on the government to ensure that the 135 million euros already allocated for school meals this year is specifically directed towards healthy nutritious options.

This groundbreaking research underscores the vital role of nutrition and physical activity in cognitive development and academic achievement, potentially shaping future educational policies in the Netherlands and beyond.