School Finds That Nutrition Affects Behavior
A high school in Wisconsin has found that nutrition has a powerful effect on
student behavior, according to an October 2003 article in the Townsend Letter
for Doctors and Patients.
The Appleton Central Alternative High School was established in 1996 to help
disruptive, truant, and other at-risk students who could not fit in at
traditional area high schools. Students were "rude, obnoxious, and
ill-mannered," according to Greg Bretthauer, the current dean of students.
Discipline problems and weapon violations required a police officer on school
premises at all times.
Then in 1997, the school underwent a transformation. Soda machines were removed
and a new nutrition program was implemented. The breakfasts and lunches offered
now feature plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Soda, candy,
chips, and chemically processed foods are prohibited in the school building.
Drinking water is encouraged; bottled water and paper cups are provided for
students who don't bring their own.
Today the students are calmer and better behaved, fights and offensive behavior
are rare, and the police officer is no longer needed. According to an article
posted in September 2005 in Ode magazine, Principal LuAnn Coenen is still
surprised when she speaks of the "astonishing" changes at the school since she
decided to drastically alter the offering of food and drinks eight years ago: "I
don't have the vandalism. I don't have the litter. I don't have the need for
high security."
To read the article in its entirety, see
http://www.odemagazine.com/article.php?aID=4143.
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