Nutrition, Social and Psychological Well-Being, and Academic Outcomes Among Urban Schoolchildren

• In Event: Poster Session 15
  In Poster Session: Expanding the Field of Diversity Research in Psychology and Education

Abstract

Counselors within school settings are charged with promoting positive academic, social, and psychological development, as well as healthy life styles and physical well-being. Although these may be perceived as competing demands in a context of limited resources, developmental contextual theory (Walsh, Galassi, Murphy, & Park-Taylor, 2002) suggests that these are often interrelated domains of human functioning. This study assesses the contributions of nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy, and behaviors and indices of social and psychological well-being in explaining standardized tests scores and report card grades among 1289 ethnically diverse 4th and 5th grade students attending urban public schools. The findings suggest that efficacy for healthy eating and psychological well-being, particularly self-esteem, are related with academic progress.

Authors

• Maureen E. Kenny, Boston College

• Chen An, Boston College