Challenges and Concerns in Health and Academic Achievement

Healthy behaviors and academic achievement are strongly connected. Research has shown that healthy students are better learners and academic achievement provides lifetime benefits for health. Behaviors among youth such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors, use of tobacco products and alcohol, etc., are constantly linked to poor educational achievements. Schools are expected to promote positive health behaviors and lessen the negative behaviors. Programs that account for the individual, family, school and community can influence both the health behaviors of students and their academic performance. School health programs and services that are evidence based, effectively coordinated and strategically planned are necessary to close the academic achievement gap. From theories to research to practical applications, case studies related to all contemporary topics of relevance to health and academic achievement have been included in this book. It aims to present researches that have transformed this discipline and aided its advancement. This book will prove to be immensely beneficial to students and researchers in this field.