Running head: SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE

PERFORMANCE

Signature Assignment:
Nutrition & Cognitive Performance
Catheryn Calderon
Arizona State University

PPE 310: Health and Literacy for Schools

Dr. William Hesse
December 1, 2016

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

Signature Assignment: Nutrition & Cognitive Performance

Introduction
Nutrition is the process of nourishing; specifically utilized as food substance. Nutrition
has a multitude of important effects on the body. Nutrition effects physical, emotional, and
cognitive development. This paper will focus on the cognitive effects of nutrition, and explore
research linking cognitive performance and nutrition. With the research collected, a synthesis
will be presented to evaluate the pertaining information. Practical implications including
marketing, funding, engagement, educational components, recognition, and wellness committee
will all be discussed with the intention to promote an improvement of nutrition in the
community, through the event Food for Thought. The target community of focus is families and
workers of parenting education. Within the sector of parenting education, employees are
responsible for teaching parents about nutrition, and how to encourage them to lead healthy lives
for their children. This paper will serve as a guide for the parenting educators to not only develop
a healthier workplace, but also a healthier practice in teaching health and wellness to families of
the community. An online compilation of this report, along with other healthy leadership work
can be found at http://calderon-e-portfolio.weebly.com/.
Literature Review
There have been many studies relating the relationship between nutrition and
cognitive performance. When focusing on improving cognitive performance in many
environments, including: work, school, and home life, it is important to consider the factors of
nutrition. The following studies were selected due to their relevance in relation between nutrition
and cognitive performance ranging from infancy until late adulthood. The information gathered

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

will be used to promote a healthier workplace and practice for parent educators, and the families
who receive their services.
Hoyland, A. (2008). Acute effects of macronutrient manipulations on cognitive test performance
in healthy young adults: A systematic research review. Neuroscience & Behavioral
Reviews 32, 1 72-85. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu
.edu/science/article/pii/S0149763407000644
The purpose of this research was to examine whether changes in certain nutrients effected
cognitive performance. The methods used for the search included: macronutrient manipulations
and assessments in memory performance, verbal fluency, attention, reaction time, psychomotor
skills, and problem solving. The results of the article were: cognitive performance was effected
by the manipulation of nutrients.
Joseph, J. (2009). Nutrition, Brain Aging, and Neurodegeneration. The Journal of Neuroscience
29, 12795-12801. doi 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3520-09.2009
The purpose of this research was to investigate if consumption of diets rich in
antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components may lower age-related cognitive declines. The
methods used for the search included: testing of chemical compounds and cognitive deficits in
aged rodents. The results of the article were: lifestyle changes involving caloric selection through
alterations in berry fruit, nut, fish oil, and curcumin intake, as well as caloric restriction provide
beneficial effects in aging and may prevent or delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.
Kim, S. (2015). Networking to Improve Nutrition Policy Research. Preventing Chronic Disease,
12, E148. doi 10.5888/pcd12.150329

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

The purpose of this research was to examine how nutritional policies effect the health of
individuals, and the effectiveness of certain policies. The methods used for the search included:
systematic review, qualitative case design, and quantitative survey analysis. The results of the
article were: certain policies proved to be effective, while others need improvement in certain
areas.
Nyaradi, A. (2015). The Relationship between Nutrition in Infancy and Cognitive Performance
during Adolescence. Frontiers in Nutrition 2, 2. doi 10.3389/fnut.2015.00002
The purpose of this research was to investigate the long-term associations between
breastfeeding duration during infancy, diet quality at 1 year of age, and cognitive performance
during adolescence. The methods used for the search included: scores were determined for
breastfeeding duration, and diet quality of diet at 1 year of age. A computerized cognitive battery
was used to determine adolescence cognitive performance. Associations between breastfeeding
duration, diet score, and cognitive performance were measures in multivariable regression
models. The results of the article were: early childhood nutrition may have a long-term
association with fundamental cognitive processing speed, which is likely to related to enhanced
brain development in the first year of life.
Synthesis of Information
The research papers selected for the literature review are unique in their studies, but all
relate to the connection between nutrition and cognitive performance. I purposely selected
articles that studied this correlation through different perspectives, because my work is focused
on children as well as adults. Nyaradi examined how the nutrition of infants effects the cognitive
performance in individuals adolescent years. This information is useful for parenting educators

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

who deliver nutritional information to parents. Parents should be receiving information that
would benefit their childs health. In this study, breastfeeding showed results of higher cognitive
performance in the adolescent years (2015).
Hoyland examined changes in nutrients and effects on cognitive performance in healthy
young adults. This information is pertinent to the health of employees as well as parents in the
organization. Cognitive performance was found to be impacted by the manipulation in nutrients
(2008). Joseph examined the effects of diets rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory
components on age-related cognitive declines. Results concluded diets rich in these components
provided effects in preventing or delaying the onset of neurodegenerative diseases (2009). Lastly,
Kim explored different nutritional policies and the effectiveness of these policies related to
health. This study proved that policies are improving the health of the population, but overall still
needs improvement (2015).
All the articles examined how nutrition effects cognitive performance, and all of them
concluded that nutrition does in fact influence cognitive performance. In general, diets rich in
more beneficial nutrients related to higher cognitive performance. This information is useful in
promoting a healthier workplace for parenting educators as well as teachings to families.
Practical Implications
The following event being proposed is one designed to educate the community on
nutrition and provide them with an opportunity to learn with their family. While attending the
event Food for Thought: Family Night, participants will experience an interactive educational
presentation while enjoying a healthy meal prepared by those who are passionate about
improving the health and wellness of the community. The event will take place at participating

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the second week of December. Parent educators
will collaborate with school educators and other community members to deliver information that
will help families to be more aware of their nutritional habits. The event will include: promotion
of health and wellness, demonstration of cooking a nutritious meal, serving of dinner, and
available resources for nutritional access and more information. With the help of community
partners, this event has the potential to positively affect the health of hundreds of families in our
community. This section will explore the practical implications of this event including:
marketing, funding, committee, educational components, engagement, and recognition.
Marketing
For this event, it is important to reach out to community members that will help this event
reach its goal. Specifically, this event will be marketed toward local grocery stores and farmers
to assist with the supply of food for the event. Appendix A displays a flyer that would be
distributed to potential community partners, informing them of our event and need for support.
Appendix B represents a flyer dedicated to our second aspect of marketing, the community. This
flyer will be distributed to families of the participating schools, informing them about the event.
Other platforms such as social media and email lists will also be used to reach as many partners
as we can. Appendix C displays a hand out that would be distributed to event participants as
supplementary material to the presentation.
Funding
Funding for this event will be based on sponsors, donors, and volunteers. The
organization is non-profit, and has limited funds for this event. Funding for this event would
have to be secured through sponsors, donors, and volunteers early in the event planning process,

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

before we start marketing out to the public. Frankly, if we do not have the support of community
partners, the event must be considerably smaller than expected. Therefore, marketing is so
important, to make sure we receive the support of community partners.
Committee
This event will require key players in the development and execution of prospected goals.
Multiple groups of members will be in charge of: marketing to community partners, receiving
funding, advertising to the public, creating the information and presentation, securing locations
for the event, selecting an appropriate meal for the event, recruiting volunteers, and recording
numbers of attendees and requesting information from parents such as email or phone number. It
is important that all members on this committee do their part because all of these tasks are
necessary for the success of this event. For individuals with special needs, accommodations will
be made for the necessary support within all of these aspects.
Educational Components
Educational components include the information available to the community, such as the
presentation, handouts, and resources available to families. Members of the organization will
select necessary information to deliver to the audience. The information being taught will be
revolved around the topic of nutritional health. This will include: how different foods affect your
body, recommendations for food intake for all ages, tips for grocery shopping, recipes, growing
your own produce at home, and how nutrition plays a role in physical, emotional, and cognitive
development. Appendices D & E represent some of the information that will presented during the
presentation. During the event, parents will be asked to provide their contact information, which
will be used at a later time to contact the family and discuss their experience of the event.

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

Participants will be asked about their perspectives of the event, and whether they felt the event
was educational and beneficial for them and their families. This information will be recorded and
used to indicate the success of the event. Members of the organization will also learn just as
much from this event as participants. Members will learn valuable information about nutrition,
how to work collaboratively, and planning events for the community.
Engagement
This event will promote a healthy lifestyle first and foremost. Underlying the event, is the
promotion of education and commitment to the community. This is also something that will
hopefully manifest in the participants and other community members. Participants will take with
them the knowledge gained form the event, and also the encouragement to be change agents in
the community, or simply their home community. Throughout the presentation, participants will
be expected to be respectful to the presenters, but it is understanding that children make noise
and therefore cause distractions. Volunteers will be there to help manage these scenarios and
provide the parents with support. Participants will be thanked for their presence, and encouraged
to visit a local parenting education organization to support their parenting.
Recognition
This is a beneficial event for any group to be a part of. It is an event dedicated to the
health and growth of the community, and will bring great recognition for any one that
participates. Sponsors and donors will have the opportunity to be recognized as caring towards
the community, while also being able to promote their own business through the families that
attend the event. The schools will receive recognition from the families and community
members, as being dedicated to their students not only in an educational aspect, but through their

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

health as well. This is a great opportunity for schools to show their commitment to the
community, and would look great for potential prospective families and donors. It is a great
cause and the media will be encouraged to promote and report about our event and organization
as a whole. The organization of parenting educators will receive recognition from the
participants and community members and have the opportunity to promote other parenting
educational opportunities for parents as well.
Conclusion
Literature revealed that nutrition has a direct relation to cognitive performance. All the
sources concluded that diets rich in more beneficial nutrients related to higher cognitive abilities.
This information is beneficial in promoting a healthier workplace for parenting educators as well
as educating the community. Through education, the community can learn about the effects of
nutrition and how important good nutrition is for development. Food for Thought: Family Night
is a great opportunity for families to learn about the value of nutrition and the positive effects
that it has on cognitive performance. This event has the potential for great change in the
community. Community members will learn about nutrition and how to live a healthier life. With
partners such as schools, businesses, and other organizations, we can reach hundreds of people in
the effort for awareness of nutritional health. Ideally, this event would occur continuously,
perhaps annually. Once the first event has been completed, it will be easier to sustain it as a
regular occurring event in the community. The goal is for this event to grow every year, reaching
more families over time. More people will know about the event and be willing to help out as the
recognition of the event grows. While the goal is for the event to successfully deliver information
to parents, the overarching goal is for families to adopt a healthier and more nutritious lifestyle.
Unfortunately, this most likely wont happen overnight after a one night event. This will mean

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

10

that parent educators will continue to educate and promote these ideals outside of the event, by
other means. All community members will benefit from a more nutritious lifestyle, and this is
just one plan. A lot can change through education and community involvement, revealing that a
community that works together thrives together.

References

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Hoyland, A. (2008). Acute effects of macronutrient manipulations on cognitive test performance

in healthy young adults: A systematic research review. Neuroscience & Behavioral
Reviews 32, 1 72-85. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu
.edu/science/article/pii/S0149763407000644
Joseph, J. (2009). Nutrition, Brain Aging, and Neurodegeneration. The Journal of Neuroscience
29, 12795-12801. doi 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3520-09.2009
Kim, S. (2015). Networking to Improve Nutrition Policy Research. Preventing Chronic Disease,
12, E148. doi 10.5888/pcd12.150329
Nyaradi, A. (2015). The Relationship between Nutrition in Infancy and Cognitive Performance
during Adolescence. Frontiers in Nutrition 2, 2. doi 10.3389/fnut.2015.00002

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

Appendix A
Community Partners Flyer

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SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

Appendix B
Community Flyer

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SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

Appendix C
Event Handout

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Appendix D
Educational Component: Meal Recommendations

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SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: NUTRITION & COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

Appendix E
Educational Component: Portion Sizes

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