Abstract:
The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between food quality, children’s mental health and their school performance. Specifically we examine whether chemical substances like food additives, taste enhancers, food dyes or substances that migrate from packaging, which are included in low quality food, act as endocrine disruptors and affect children’s mental health and school performance. The literature review revealed the need to conduct research in this area, as not enough studies were found. The study sample consisted of 577 students aged 10-12 from schools located in various places of Greece. The data collection tool was a questionnaire that contained demographic items and variables based upon the aim of the study. The questionnaires were completed by the students and then the data were coded and tables of the emerging findings were created. The data analysis revealed that students who consume more frequently low quality food products, widely known as “junk food” are the ones with the poorest school performance.
